Harking Applauds Economic Development Funding For Disaster States

Press Release

Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today applauded the Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) announcement of the availability of $400 million in funding to support long-term post-disaster economic recovery in communities affected in 2008 by hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters. This funding will be used for flood mitigation, economic recovery and planning. Harkin took a leading role in securing the funding in the Continuing Resolution that passed in September.

A total of $104.6 million has been allocated to the region serving Harkin's home state of Iowa, 26.14 percent of the overall funding. Of the states in the region, only one state in addition to Iowa suffered from significant natural disasters in 2008. Due to the historic flooding last summer, 84 out of 99 counties were designated FEMA disaster areas.

"Every dollar, every cent of this funding is critical as these states rebuild following last year's natural disasters," said Harkin. "Recovery may come slowly, but I am very pleased that these funds were allocated quickly to these hard-hit regions."

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