Grants support rebuilding and recovery in Brimfield, Northbridge, Norton, and Holland
Boston – June 18, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Today the Department of Housing and Community Development announced Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Recovery for four communities across Massachusetts. Brimfield received $236,250 for recovery after the 2011 tornado; Northbridge received $259,900 for damages to the Rockdale Youth Center during two FEMA-identified disasters; Norton received $570,675 for a Woodlands Meadow drainage project to address damages from Hurricane Sandy; and Holland received $88,200 for damages from Hurricane Irene and other FEMA identified disasters.
“Assisting local communities as they work to repair and rebuild from disasters is an essential part of my administration’s support for cities and towns,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We remain committed to the long-term work of assisting these communities through grants and guidance as they work towards a full recovery.”
“Towns like Brimfield, Northbridge, Norton, and Holland form a vital part of the Massachusetts economy,” said Lieutenant Governor Kayrn Polito. “Helping these communities access the resources they need to recover ensures that the commonwealth will continue to grow.”
“These awards are an integral part of a larger commitment to cities and towns,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash. “We will continue our efforts to repair and rebuild housing and infrastructure in communities that have been devastated by natural disasters.”
“Disaster recovery grants are a significant part of the repair process,” said Undersecretary of Housing and Community Development Chrystal Kornegay. “I look forward to continued partnerships as we work with local communities towards recovery from these disasters.”
The Commonwealth received a $7.21 million Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in FY 2013. The funds were to be used to address damages from five FEMA identified disasters from 2011 and 2012 that impacted Massachusetts communities. An initial round of projects were awarded in October 2013 totaling $3.6 million. A second round was issued in June 2014 for approximately $1 million. The most recent awards represent projects approved for an additional $1.15 million.
Media Contact
Paul McMorrow (HED) – paul.mcmorrow (at) state.ma (dot) us
Kristen Sabella (HED) – Kristen.j.sabella (at) state.ma (dot) us
