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Winnsboro eligible for disaster funds
Franklin has the opportunity to compete with 52 other parishes for a $30 million federal grant to make repairs and improvements after hurricanes Gustav and Ike flooded parts of the state in 2008.
Kendal Magee of Frye, Magee & Associates, a Pineville consulting firm, updated the Winnsboro City Council on the grant application process at their regular meeting June 21.
"For most of 2009 the LMA (Louisiana Municipal Association) has worked with the Division of Administration in getting a special allocation for small cities and towns," Magee said. "Jack Hammons was instrumental in leading the charge to get this grant."
Due to damage from flooding in the wake of hurricanes Gustav (Sept. 1) and Ike (Sept. 12), the city of Winnsboro is eligible to compete for a $30 million grant through the Disaster Recovery Community Development Municipal Infrastructure Program (MIP). The Community Development Disaster Recovery Unit and the Louisiana Recovery Authority developed program.
In 2008, the federal government allocated the state of Louisiana $350 million for infrastructure improvements. Winnsboro was appropriated $4.4 million for the purpose of developing public facility improvement projects related to or caused by the storms.
"These are HUD (Dept. of Housing and Urban Development) dollars, so the plan has to benefit low to moderate income families, it has to be of an urgent need or it eliminates slums or blights," Magee said. "We will be competing with cities our own size."
A public hearing has been set for Thursday, July 8 at 6 p.m. to solicit input from Winnsboro residents on a plan of development projects.
Guidelines for the projects are separated into five categories:
* Flood Drainage Improvements
* Water / sewer improvements
* Street improvements
* Fire and emergency equipment
* Other public facilities and improvements
Board members adopted resolutions to abide by the requirements set forth in the Disaster Recovery, to establish resident participation and to contract administrative consultants and engineers for the project(s).
MIP grant applications are due Aug. 31, 2010.
Former mayor Jack Hammons passed away March 5, 2010 after a brief battle with cancer. Councilman John "Sonny" Dumas was selected to serve as interim mayor until Mayor-elect Jackie Johnson takes office July 1. |
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