Bredesen Announces Tennessee Approved for Increase in Federal Match for Flood Recovery Assistance

 

NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen today announced Tennessee will receive a higher percentage of federal matching funds to cover costs associated with repairing and rebuilding public infrastructure damaged or destroyed as a result of severe storms, flooding and tornadoes that struck the state April 30-May 2, 2010.

 

Tennessee’s federal match will be 90 percent of the total eligible costs for projects falling into the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s seven categories of public assistance, including direct federal assistance. Under the cost-sharing arrangement, the state will split evenly the remaining 10 percent of eligible costs with local governments.

 

“This increased match will be tremendously helpful to Tennessee cities and counties working to rebuild,” said Bredesen. “I appreciate the help and support of the Tennessee delegation in approving the increase and the ongoing help and support from President Obama and other federal officials as our communities continue their recovery.”

 

The 90 percent match will apply to FEMA’s public assistance categories covering debris removal, measures taken to protect lives and property, and repairs to roads, bridges, water control facilities, buildings, utilities and parks.

 

Direct federal assistance covers costs associated with FEMA tasking other federal agencies with response or recovery responsibilities.

 

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency is the state agency responsible for reviewing the public assistance project applications, assessing the funding and making the payments to public assistance applicants.

 

For more information on FEMA’s Public Assistance Grant Program and a complete list of categories, go to http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/index.shtm.