U.S. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AWARDS $3 MILLION FOR HURRICANE SANDY RECOVERY AID

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
U.S. Department of Education Awards $3 Million to Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and New York City to Aid in Recovery from Hurricane Sandy

February 14, 2013

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Healthy Students has awarded $3 million in Project School Emergency Response to Violence (SERV) grants to Connecticut ($250,000), New Jersey ($1.25 million), New York ($500,000) and New York City ($1 million) to assist with recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. The widespread damage of the storm was particularly devastating to these communities.

Project SERV grants provide critical support to districts that have experienced a significant traumatic event and need resources to respond, recover, and re-establish safe environments for students. The Office of Safe and Healthy Students has awarded more than $31.5 million to 104 grantees, including Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and New York City, since the grant program began in 2001.

"Project SERV grants provide key support to students and communities as they continue to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy," U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said. "These funds help the learning process continue and make resources available to students and educators who may still be dealing with the trauma of last fall’s devastating hurricane."

The three states—Connecticut, New Jersey and New York—will identify school districts and schools that were hardest hit by the storm. New York state’s funds may go to any district except New York City, as it is receiving a separate grant. All four grantees will use the funds to provide education-related services where the learning environment has been disrupted due to the storm’s effects. These services may include mental-health assessments, referrals and services; leasing of space to substitute for damaged buildings; emergency transportation; temporary security measures; and overtime pay for teachers, counselors, law enforcement and security officers, and other staff. Within 75 days after receiving their funds, the grantees will submit reports to the Department describing the basis for distributing the funds and the activities that are planned

SBA SAYS HURRICANE SANDY LOAN APPROVALS EXCEED $1 BILLION

FROM: U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
SBA Hurricane Sandy Loan Approvals Surpass $1 Billion As Congress Makes Additional Funds Available for Recovery

WASHINGTON – Less than 90 days after Hurricane Sandy struck, the U.S. Small Business Administration has approved more than $1.1 billion in disaster loans to 16,800 residents and businesses in the federally declared states affected by the storm. This milestone comes as Congress passed emergency legislation that will add $799 million to SBA’s disaster assistance program budget to help meet the demand for loans from Hurricane Sandy and future disasters.

"Getting money into the hands of individuals and businesses in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy continues to be one of our top priorities," said SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills. "My pledge to those affected by the hurricane is that SBA, working together with our local and federal partners, will help you rebuild. I am pleased Congress took the important step of appropriating much-needed funds to help us keep our promise."

Here’s how the supplemental appropriations will be used:

* $520 million for disaster loan subsidy costs, which would support $5 billion in SBA low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses and non-profit organizations;

* $249 million to cover the administrative costs of SBA disaster loan making and servicing;

* $20 million to support SBA’s resource partners—the Small Business Development Centers, SCORE, Women’s and Veterans Business Development Centers—as they provide assistance to businesses rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy;

* $10 million for additional administrative expenses, which include IT security and financial management costs related to SBA’s Hurricane Sandy response.

In terms of SBA disaster lending, Hurricane Sandy is the third largest disaster in U.S. history, followed by Hurricanes Katrina/Rita/Wilma (Aug./Sept. 2005, $10.8 billion) and the Northridge (CA) earthquake (Jan. 1994, $4 billion). The SBA currently has a disaster staff of 2,400 supporting the Hurricane Sandy response in seven states (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina) and Puerto Rico, as well as assisting in recovery efforts for other disasters nationwide.

FEMA INFRASTRUCTURE REPAIRS CONTINUE AFTER HURRICANE SANDY

FROM: FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Rockaway Beach, N.Y., Dec. 11, 2012 -- Emergency generators sit abandoned after being submerged in the Hurricane Sandy water surge. FEMA public assistance will often help finance generators to public entities and for public infrastructure. Ed Edahl-FEMA

Rockway Beach, N.Y., Dec. 11, 2012 -- Contractors run new telephone cables to replace equipment ruined by Hurricane Sandy. Contractors are routinely hired to facilitate a more rapid recovery. Ed Edah-FEMA