ST. PAUL, MN – Rice and Le Sueur County have been added to the federal disaster declaration secured by Governor Dayton on July 21, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM).
“I’m pleased our region is now able to partner with the federal government to make sure local communities have the resources they need to rebuild,” said State Representative David Bly (DFL – Northfield).
Each county is eligible for two categories of federal and state aid:
Public Assistance: Assistance to state and local government and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. This applies within the counties in the disaster area.
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program: Assistance to state and local government and certain private nonprofit organizations for actions taken to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards. All counties in the state of Minnesota are eligible to apply for assistance under this program.
Under a presidential disaster declaration, FEMA will fund 75 percent of approved costs. The state of Minnesota will fund the non-federal share. Eligible work can include debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster and repair or replacement of damaged public facilities such as roads, bridges, buildings, utilities and recreation areas.
Financial assistance may be possible for homeowners, renters and business owners through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). More information about SBA disaster loans is available online at www.sba.gov/disaster, by email at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or by phone at 800-659-2955.
Rep. Bly encourages his constituents to contact him with any questions about ongoing disaster recovery efforts. He can be reached by phone at (651) 296-0171, by email at rep.david.bly@house.mn or by postal mail at 559 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.