WASHINGTON, DC  - U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse today announced that the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is making up to $10.6 million in federal funding immediately available to Rhode Island to help communities recover from last year's historic floods.  Reed and Whitehouse helped secure this emergency disaster relief funding in the Fiscal Year 2010 Supplemental Appropriations disaster relief bill.

"This funding will help families, communities, and businesses that were ravaged by the flooding last March," said Senator Reed, a member of the Appropriations Committee.  "Although more than $100 million in direct federal aid has already been allocated to Rhode Island to help the families and businesses that were hit hardest by the flooding last March, more is needed before a full recovery can been made.  This EDA funding will provide much needed support to help Rhode Island recover, rebuild, and guard against similar devastation in the future."

"Our state has worked hard to rebuild in the wake of last year's floods and has made tremendous progress, but many homeowners and businesses still need help," said Whitehouse, who worked with Senator Reed to secure this flood recovery funding through last year's Supplemental Appropriations bill.  "This funding will allow our cities and towns to continue rebuilding and restoring local economies affected by the floods."

The federal EDA funding is now allocated for Rhode Island and will be subject to a competitive awards process for projects within the state.  Assistance can support infrastructure improvements or fund planning grants to alleviate economic dislocation caused by the disaster.