Culver announces $22 million in disaster grants to cities, counties

DES MOINES - Gov. Chet Culver on Friday announced $22 million in grants that were part of a disaster aid package passed by lawmakers this past session.More than 500 counties and cities will receive money from the Community Disaster Grant program to help recover from the floods and tornadoes that hit Iowa last year.

The long list of grants announced Friday will help communities repair public infrastructure and pay for other disaster-related expenses as well as assist small businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Projects funded by the grants covered a wide range of needs such as replacing the sandbag stockpile in Bremer County and $10,948 for a light tower and generator for a mobile command center in Chickasaw County.

"Today, we are taking one more step in the long process of rebuilding our state," Culver said in a statement announcing the grants. "Much has been accomplished in the year since the onset of the storms of 2008. But our efforts will take years, not months, and these funds play an essential role in helping rebuild our state stronger, safer, and better than before."

The 85 Iowa counties included in last year's presidential disaster declaration, as well as the cities within those counties, were eligible to apply for the grants.