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New Funding Announced For Colorado Flood Recovery Efforts

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Communities impacted by September’s massive floods can now apply for funding from a new federal grant.

The state received approval this week from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for its Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Action Plan. State officials began working on the proposal in December, when the availability of the grant was announced.

The action plan outlines how the state will distribute $62.8 million for flood recovery programs, and was developed with input from local communities.

“During the drafting stages of the action plan we held meetings with local governments in flood-impacted communities, and we had public meetings in the most impacted counties, where we asked for feedback,” said Molly Urbina, Colorado’s Chief Recovery Officer.

HUD guidelines specify that 80 percent of the grant must go to the most impacted counties, which are Boulder, Larimer and Weld – although communities in all 18 counties that received a Presidential flood impact declaration are encouraged to apply.

The funds are intended to help with the state’s unmet needs in housing, public infrastructure, and economic development – which also includes agricultural business development.

The grant will help rebuild more resilient, sustainable communities over the long term. In that sense, it’s different from other federal disaster recovery funding that Colorado has received.

“FEMA, for example, really deals with the emergency response. Their primary concern is at that time, not to focus on building back more sustainable and resilient,” Urbina said. “This really is specifically for the long term rebuilding.”

HUD guidelines also stipulate that 50 percent of the funds must go to low- and moderate- income households.

Applications can be accessed at ColoradoUnited.com starting May 2, 2014.

As the host of KUNC’s new program and podcast In the NoCo, I work closely with our producers and reporters to bring context and diverse perspectives to the important issues of the day. Northern Colorado is such a diverse and growing region, brimming with history, culture, music, education, civic engagement, and amazing outdoor recreation. I love finding the stories and voices that reflect what makes NoCo such an extraordinary place to live.
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