U.S. Congressman Mike McIntyre announces the award of $637,383 in federal and state funds to Holden Beach under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance Program.
Of the amount allotted, $447,960 will be directed to beach renourishment and $189,423 will be directed to beach grass and sand fencing. Holden Beach was hit hard by Hurricane Irene, and these funds will be used to help the community make repairs to the damages that were incurred by the storm.
The funds are expected to be disbursed to the State of North Carolina in 7 to 10 days, at which point the State will work to reimburse Holden Beach for expenses from Hurricane Irene related repairs.
Congressman McIntyre stated, “ Holden Beach is a treasure of the Cape Fear region that must be preserved and protected. The damages that were incurred by the storm must be addressed, and I am pleased that these FEMA funds will help the region recover from the storm. It is imperative to the local economy that the beaches are repaired to their pre-storm condition in order for Holden Beach to continue to be a premier vacation destination.”
The FEMA Public Assistance Program is a federal-state collaboration that reimburses communities for repairs from natural disasters. Under the program 75 percent of the funding is provided by the federal government and 25 percent of the funding is provided by the State of North Carolina.
Congressman McIntyre has long been a supporter of investments to coastal infrastructure and Coastal Storm Risk Management Projects and has worked throughout his time in Congress to provide assistance to the beaches of Southeastern North Carolina.
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Dredging Today Staff, February 1, 2012; Image: mcintyre