FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS PARTNER TO REBUILD TEXAS
HUD-coordinated team of Federal, State and local disaster experts provide assistance specific to Port Arthur

FORT WORTH - A partnership among federal, state and local representatives convened a work group initiative in Port Arthur with city officials on February 14, 2018, at the Port Arthur City Hall. The event included comprehensive discussions of the city's disaster recovery priorities with disaster partners including HUD, FEMA and the Texas General Land Office to create a long-term strategy to rebuild communities in Port Arthur devastated by Hurricane Harvey.

Members of the Recovery Team included Beth Van Duyne, HUD SW Regional Administrator; Bill Doran, FEMA Deputy Field Coordinating Officer; Pete Phillips, Deputy Director for Community Development and Revitalization at the Texas General Land Office; Port Arthur Mayor Derrick Freeman; representatives from HUD's Office of Community Planning and Development; SBA; and USDA.

HUD SW Regional Administrator Beth Van Duyne who coordinated the partnership said, "After a disaster, prioritizing next steps, determining relevant state and federal resources and navigating all the related rules and regulations can be daunting for community leaders. The goal of this Recovery Team is to proactively reach out to areas affected by Harvey and offer them an organized and experienced team to cut through the red tape. By listening to their specific challenges, goals and needs, long term recovery plans can be tailored to most effectively rebuild their communities. Working together, we will rebuild Texas."

The Strike Team has already held meetings in Aransas, Montgomery, Wharton, Galveston and Jefferson Counties. Visits are planned to other Texas communities and cities affected by Harvey in the next months. HUD hopes to replicate the Strike Team model in future disasters across the country.

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