April 11, 2014 FEMA Awards $327,054 Grant to City of Rochester: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds will be used to construct a tornado safe room

Release date: 

APRIL 11, 2014

Release Number: 

RV-NR-2014-28

CHICAGO – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released $327,054 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to the city of Rochester Minn., for the construction of a safe room at Quarry Hill Nature Center in Olmsted County.

“The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program enables communities to implement critical mitigation measures to reduce or eliminate the risk of loss of life and property,” said Andrew Velasquez III, regional administrator, FEMA Region V. “The construction of thissafe room will protect the lives of vulnerable citizens by providing a secure location to seek shelter from tornados and other high wind events."

“People in Rochester will be safer thanks to local leaders who joined with state and federal partners on this project,” said Kris Eide, director of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. “Tornado safe rooms are one way communities across the state are reducing the risk that comes with disasters. We’re encouraging more cities and counties to apply for grants that will help them protect their residents.”

HMGP provides grants to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures. Through HMGP, FEMAwill pay $327,054 or 75 percent of the project’s total cost. The city of Rochester will contribute the remaining 25 percent, or $109,018.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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Media Contact: Cassie Ringsdorf, (312) 408-4455