08.23.12

Hoeven: Corps $2 Million Infrastructure Award Helping to Rebuild Minot

MINOT, N.D. – U.S. Senator John Hoeven today said the $1.9 million Section 594 grant allocated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to Minot will help to restore essential sanitary sewer infrastructure after last year’s devastating flooding. The city’s phased project to expand and extend its sewer system on the south side is a key component in the effort to develop new housing in the wake of the flood.

“We are rebuilding our city, piece by piece, project by project, house by house,” Hoeven said. “Infrastructure is a vital part of the city’s long-term disaster recovery efforts and, importantly, also lends to our ongoing commitment to meeting the needs of the area’s rapidly growing population. The funding secured from the Army Corps will greatly help in Minot’s efforts to rebuild and represents only the latest commitment from the federal government to help the people of Minot recover.”

The senator was joined by city and state officials at a ceremony to recognize the congressional delegation for their role in securing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers funding for the City of Minot. Officials attending the event included Congressman Rick Berg, Mayor Curt Zimbelman, Colonel Michael Price with the U.S. Corps of Engineer, City Manager David Waind, Public Works Director Dan Jonasson, City Engineer Lance Meyer and City Finance Director Cindy Hemphill.

Earlier this year, the delegation pressed Corps officials to grant the city’s request for federal assistance to expand and extend its sanitary sewer system south of the city in the aftermath of last year’s severe flooding. The delegation has been working with the city to secure as much federal support as possible to cover the total project cost.

To date, $565.45 million in federal flood relief efforts has been awarded to the City of Minot and Ward County. Grants, loans and direct assistance to the city and county include $74.2 million in public assistance for infrastructure damage, including school repairs; $89.8 million in FEMA Individuals Assistance and $224 million in SBA disaster loans.