CUOMO ANNOUNCES NEARLY $4.1 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR COMMUNITIES IN WISCONSIN UNDER HUD DISASTER RECOVERY INITIATIVE

WASHINGTON - Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo today announced nearly $4.1 million in grants to Wisconsin communities under HUD's Disaster Recovery Initiative, to help them recover from damage caused by severe flooding last summer.

Cuomo said the HUD grants will go to:

• City of Milwaukee -- $1,455,474
• Milwaukee County -- $936,469
• City of Wauwatosa -- $831,325
• Waukesha County -- $671,135
• State of Wisconsin -- $171,261
  to be used primarily in Ozaukee and Washington counties

The aid was authorized under disaster relief legislation signed by President Clinton in June. It will supplement aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other federal agencies.

Cuomo made the announcement in a conference call from Washington, and was joined by Senator Herb Kohl and Congressmen Tom Barrett and Jerry Kleczka.

"No amount of money can erase the devastation caused by the flooding in Wisconsin, 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 Wisconsin in our determination to rebuild as completely and quickly as humanly possible."

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, including: 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.

Senator Kohl said: "Last year's flooding was among the worst we have seen in Southern Wisconsin. We can not prevent storms and flooding, but it is part of government's role to be responsive when disaster occurs. I am pleased with HUD's efforts on our behalf."

Senator Russ Feingold said: "I am very pleased that HUD is doing its part to help the Milwaukee area recover from last year's floods by designating some of their supplemental disaster relief funds to the effort. Milwaukee area residents will be happy to know that these additional resources are available for housing and utility repair and other purposes."

Congressman Barrett said: "Last summer's floods caused severe damage to homes and businesses in the Milwaukee area. The response from federal and state agencies in the form of financial recovery assistance has been tremendous. This additional support from HUD will provide cities and villages affected by the floods another option in their recovery effort."

Congressman Kleczka said: "Thankfully, flood damage in my district was not widespread, however, I am sure HUD's disaster relief funds will be eagerly welcomed by those homeowners affected by the floods."

Congressman Mark Neumann said: "As a member of the committee which oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency, I included a provision instructing the folks in Washington to take all necessary steps to ensure the flood victims in the Milwaukee, Waukesha and Ozaukee Counties receive the federal assistance needed to rebuild their communities. Therefore, I am pleased my amendment had its intended effect and the folks in these Milwaukee-area communities will now have financial relief from HUD to help them with the losses they suffered last year."

Congressman F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. said: "I am pleased to learn Wisconsin has been granted HUD Disaster Recovery Initiative funds to aid in the continuing cleanup from last summer's flood damage. The June floods took a serious toll on both businesses and families, and merited a federal response. It is my hope that those families, businesses and communities affected will now be better equipped to rebuild their lives and livelihoods."

Mayor John O. Norquist of Milwaukee said: "I want to thank President Clinton, HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo and our congressional delegation for taking this matter seriously and helping the city and its residents recover from last summer's severe flooding."