Press Release
U.S. Department of Commerce Announces $200 Million in Disaster Relief Funding
Contact: John Atwood, 202-482-4085
Thursday, March 29, 2012
WASHINGTON - U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson today announced the availability of $200 million in U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) funding to help communities that received a major disaster designation in fiscal year 2011 with long-term economic recovery and infrastructure support.
"The Obama Administration is committed to helping rebuild communities impacted by natural disasters," Bryson said. "With this $200 million, the Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration will support long-term economic recovery in critical regions and invest in job creation to ensure our economy is built to last."
Successful projects will support long-term economic recovery, not initial clean-up or rebuilding efforts; demonstrate a nexus between the project scope of work and applicable disaster; demonstrate that the project will foster job creation and promote private investment; align with a relevant strategic, economic development, or disaster recovery plan; and, demonstrate the incorporation of disaster resiliency.
Awards will be made on a competitive basis and will be evaluated against all other eligible applicants. Those who can apply include: states or subdivisions of states (i.e., town, county, etc.); public or private non-profit organizations or associations; district organizations (i.e., Economic Development Districts, Regional Planning Commissions, etc.); institutions of higher education; and, Indian Tribes. For this Disaster Relief Opportunity, EDA will consider applications submitted by eligible applicants located in or acting on behalf of disaster-affected regions.
The Department of Commerce is the coordinating agency under the National Disaster Recovery Framework for Economic Recovery Support Function. The National Disaster Recovery Framework provides guidance that enables effective federal recovery support to disaster-impacted states and other jurisdictions, and focuses on how best to restore, redevelop and revitalize the health, social, economic, natural, and environmental fabric of the region.
For more information on how to apply for the disaster relief funds, click here.
About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov):
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.