CUOMO ANNOUNCES $668,569 IN GRANTS FOR COMMUNITIES IN COLORADO UNDER HUD DISASTER RECOVERY INITIATIVE

WASHINGTON - Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo today announced $668,569 in grants to communities in Colorado - including $511,740 for Fort Collins - under HUD's Disaster Recovery Initiative.

Cuomo made the announcement via telephone conference call to Fort Collins. Other Colorado officials participating in the announcement were: Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Lt. Governor Gail Schoettler, Congressman Bob Schaffer, Fort Collins Mayor Ann Azari and Fort Collins City Manager John Fischbach..

The grants will help Fort Collins and other communities recover from heavy rains and flash flooding that damaged many homes and businesses last summer. The storms also destroyed streets, bridges and storm drainage systems.

The grants were authorized under disaster relief legislation signed into law by President Clinton in June. In addition to the $511,740 going to Fort Collins, Cuomo awarded $156,829 to the State of Colorado, to be used in other counties declared disaster areas by the President on Aug. 1. The other counties are: Baca, Clear Creek, Crowley, Elbert, Kiowa, Larimer, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan, Otero, Phillips, Prowers, and Weld.

"No amount of money can erase the devastation caused by these flash floods in Colorado, but this assistance can help speed recovery efforts to create stronger and better communities," Cuomo said. "The Clinton Administration and all Americans stand with the people of Fort Collins and all of Colorado in our determination to rebuild from the storm damage as completely and quickly as humanly possible."

Governor Roy Romer said: "We, in government have to do what we can to help those impacted rebuild their lives. The State of Colorado is grateful for this money that allows us to continue to help our citizens."

Lieutenant Governor Schoettler, in Fort. Collins for the announcement, said: "The terrible flood of 1997 devastated communities throughout Weld and Morgan Counties in Colorado, but it brought out the best about the people of Colorado in the way they responded to that crisis. The announcement that HUD funding is being made available to continue that job is great news to all of us who have been determined from the beginning that northern Colorado would emerge from the flood better than ever."

Senator Campbell said: "After seeing first-hand the devastation in Fort Collins last year, I was more than happy to work to secure this money in the emergency disaster relief bill. Because natural disasters are unpredictable, it was important that we made sure this money for the unexpected was available."

Congressman Schaffer said: "HUD's attention and efficiency on this matter is deeply appreciated by all Northern Coloradons."

Mayor Azari said: "We have worked with our citizens and responded to their needs in recovering from last summer's flood. We appreciate the assistance and partnership that HUD has given us in accomplishing this work. Today, local, state and federal governments accomplish the greatest things when they realize their interdependence and work together in partnership."

The HUD assistance will supplement aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other federal agencies.

Funds under the HUD Disaster Recovery Initiative can be used for long-term recovery efforts, property buyouts, relocations and efforts to prevent future flood damage. The program gives communities great flexibility in meeting local needs quickly.

Communities can use HUD funds for: rehabilitation of residential and commercial buildings; acquisition, construction or reconstruction of public facilities and improvements, including streets, neighborhood centers, and water and sewer facilities; homeownership assistance, including downpayment assistance and interest rate subsides; building new replacement housing; code enforcement; and assistance to businesses for carrying out economic development activities for job creation and retention.