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Michigan Opens Disaster Fund; Residents Can Get Local Help

Eligible local governments affected by the flooding can apply for assistance grants for up to $100,000 or 10 percent of the previous year's operating budget, whichever is less.

(TNS) — Gov. Rick Snyder has opened a Disaster and Emergency Contingency Fund to provide financial assistance to Bay, Isabella, Gladwin and Midland counties after severe flooding caused significant and widespread damages on June 22-23.

"While great progress has been made, many of the counties' resources have been depleted," Snyder said. "Money from this fund will help cover some of the costs incurred while responding to and recovering from this disaster."

Eligible local governments affected by the flooding can apply for assistance grants for up to $100,000 or 10 percent of the previous year's operating budget, whichever is less.

The Disaster and Emergency Contingency Fund is used when communities demonstrate an exhaustion of local resources during a disaster or emergency. The money can be applied toward the immediate prevention, response and recovery of a disaster or emergency, as well as cover overtime for public employees, contracts used during the response, shelter supplies, gasoline used during the response and repair of public buildings and infrastructure.

The Michigan State Police's Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division will administer the grant program and assist local governments with applying for the funds.

Separately, Midland County residents may also receive assistance for those items damaged during the flood, such as water heaters, washing machines, clothes dryers, furnaces or mattresses, may receive assistance for replacing these items.

"Due to the overwhelming support of our neighbors and community partners, some help is now available for those who have been impacted by the recent flood — regardless of income," stated County Emergency Management Coordinator Jennifer Boyer in an email.

Residents must dial 2-1-1 by Monday, July 31 to register for this assistance.

"We are grateful to be part of a community where our residents help each other in times of need," Boyer said. "Thank you to all who have made donations and volunteered their time thus far to assist in flood recovery efforts."

Midland County is hopeful to hear an announcement soon from President Donald Trump about the availability of federal assistance programs following Snyder's request for assistance on Friday.

Due to the severity and magnitude of the incident, Snyder requested supplementary federal aid to help Michigan residents in recovery efforts. The request did not include assistance for costs incurred by state and local governments due to uninsured damage to public facilities and infrastructures, as those costs did not meet the federal threshold for assistance. The request came at the conclusion of an in-depth assessment of damage to the area.
 

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©2017 the Midland Daily News (Midland, Mich.)

Visit the Midland Daily News (Midland, Mich.) at www.ourmidland.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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