CRANSTON – Rhode Island received $13 million in funding to aid flood recovery efforts, a group of local and national politicians announced Monday at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, the well-known event facility that was damaged in the flooding.
“Although more than $100 million in direct federal aid has already been allocated to Rhode Island to help the families and businesses that were ravaged by the flooding last March, more is needed before a full recovery can been made,” said U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I. “This additional funding will provide those communities with additional support and aid in order to recover, rebuild and guard against similar devastation in the future.”
The funding, aimed to help communities that are still recovering from the extensive March flooding, comes through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant program.
The state will receive $8.9 million and the cities of Warwick and Cranston will receive $2.8 million and $1.3 million, respectively.
The disaster relief funds may be used to repair homes, businesses, sewage facilities and public buildings. The money may also be used to purchase damaged properties in a flood plain and relocate residents to safer areas.
The $13 million is the first installment of aid under the Supplemental Appropriations bill that was signed into law at the end of July, a bill supported by Reed and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, and Reps. Patrick J. Kennedy and James R. Langevin, all Rhode Island Democrats, a press release stated.
The total amount for the Supplemental Appropriations bill has not yet been determined, but a second installment for Rhode Island is expected.
“We do believe the second installment, whenever it drops, will be at least as much as the announcement on Monday,” Tara McGowan, deputy press secretary for Reed, told Providence Business News.
