WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (AL-7) announced that the Jefferson County Regional Commission and the West Alabama Regional Commission were awarded $100,000 each to develop preparedness disaster recovery plans that will assist in the preparedness, recovery, rebuilding and regional collaboration efforts in response to the April 2011 tornadoes and heavy storms.  The grants were awarded by the U.S. Department of Commerce through the Economic Development Administration and will be implemented in communities throughout Jefferson, Greene, Hale, Pickens, Tuscaloosa and other counties in Alabama. 

“This funding will help in the recovery and rebuilding efforts in our communities that critically need assistance as a result of the April tornadoes, said Rep. Sewell.  This grant will also allow our regional commissions to better prepare our communities for natural disasters. It is critically important that all communities receive the resources and funding they need to recover and rebuild from the devastation that struck the communities across the 7th Congressional District and the State of Alabama.”

“We appreciate everything that Congresswoman Sewell is doing to assist us in identifying funding sources for communities in need,” said Cory Jackson, Senior Economic Development Planner with the West Alabama Regional Planning Commission.  “There are so many things that need attention in response to the tornadoes.  We will use this funding to fill the gaps in our communities and within the business sector.   

 “We are delighted to have the support of Congresswoman Sewell in this endeavor,” said Charles Ball, Executive Director of the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (RPCGB).  With the grant awarded by the Economic Development Administration, the RPCGB will work with communities to formulate a Disaster Response and Preparedness Plan that will focus on protecting infrastructure and businesses and enable local governments to provide both proactive and reactive assistance to their citizens.”   

According to the project description, the funding will be used to provide planning and technical assistance to impacted communities to promote economic recovery through coordination of resources, prioritization of rebuilding efforts, and regional collaboration. Analysis of the storm events will also help local governments develop a disaster response and preparedness plan to protect citizens, infrastructure, and businesses from future events.

###