03.28.13

Durbin Announces $1.6 Million in Disaster Relief Funds for Harrisburg

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce’s (DOC) Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded $1,645,200 in Disaster Relief funding to the City of Harrisburg, Illinois which suffered severe damage from flooding in 2011 and further devastation from a major tornado in 2012. 

 

Today’s investment will be used to construct improvements to the Harrisburg’s waste water treatment plant, support local industries and protect against future floods.  Specifically, it will add to and improve the filtration system and install an additional pump in the storm water pumping station while leveraging an expected $2 million in private investment.

 

“I’ve seen my fair share of tornado damage, but when I visited Harrisburg and Ridgway just over a year ago, I saw some things I had never seen before,” said Durbin.  “Today’s investment is welcome news for a community that was hit so hard by disaster and has made incredible progress moving forward despite an initial denial of federal disaster assistance.  Thanks again to everyone engaged in the rescue and cleanup at every level, including Mayor Gregg of Harrisburg.  I hope this funding will complement the work they are doing to rebuild their communities.”

 

The funding has been awarded through the FY 2012 Disaster Relief Opportunity grant program which is intended to support long-term recovery, spur job creation, leverage private investment and promote disaster resiliency in communities affect by severe weather and other disasters.