News Releases for July 2006
July 28, 2006
For further information, please Contact the Governor's Office
Hoeven: Coleharbor Recovery Effort Continues
Announces USDA Rural Development Federal Assistance For Coleharbor Recovery
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today said the State of North Dakota continues to assist the community of Coleharbor recover after a severe storm hit the city on July 12, and federal assistance is available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development.
State agencies providing assistance to local responders include the Governor’s Office, the N.D. Highway Patrol, the N.D. Department of Human Services, N.D. Department of Transportation, the State Electrical Board, the N.D. Department of Health and the Department of Emergency Services’ Divisions of State Radio and Homeland Security.
Additionally, Hoeven announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development office has offered several programs to help the community of Coleharbor recover. The offer came in cooperation with USDA Rural Development Director Clare Carlson, who contacted Coleharbor officials Tuesday to notify them of the available aid.
USDA Rural Development programs for which Coleharbor residents are eligible include:
- The 502 direct home loan to individuals, which has payment assistance available. The program provides low and moderate income rural families and individuals with loans with no down payment and favorable rates and terms for new homes.
- The 502 loan guarantee, which provides a loan guarantee for a home loan from an approved lender.
- The 504 repair loan, which can help very low income individuals and families make repairs to their home up to $20,000 at 1 percent interest.
- The 504 repair grants, which are available to remove health and safety hazards. They are available to elderly 62 years or older with very low income. The maximum grant is $7,500.
Applicants should contact the USDA Rural Development Area Office at Minot, Rollin Brossart, Area Director, 701-852-1754, Ext. 4.
In addition, those who still haves specific recovery needs are encouraged to pick up an application for assistance at the City Auditor’s office in Coleharbor, or call Bonnie Turner at Lutheran Disaster Response of Lutheran Social Services at 800-950-2901 if you have questions. Donations to assist the community can be made to Coleharbor Disaster Donations, C/O First Security Bank, P.O. Box 40, Underwood, ND 58576; or to Disaster Response, Box 389, Fargo, ND 58107.
Hoeven visited the site of the storm on the day after it occurred to review damage and lend support. He met with the Mayor Bill Wilson, the county Emergency Manager and other city and county officials. On July 14, he issued an Executive Order proclaiming a severe summer weather emergency for the city and surrounding McLean County.
The following state services have either been completed or are underway:
- DES is coordinating the state response and continues to work with the State Unmet Needs Committee to render assistance to residents.
- The N.D. Department of Transportation removed debris in the aftermath of high winds, hail and rain.
- The N.D. Highway Patrol (NDHP) provided an initial assessment of damages in Coleharbor to the State Operations Center.
- NDHP troopers assisted with public safety and traffic control, and ensured traffic flow on U.S. Highway 83.
- State and local officials went house-to-house in the late hours of July 12 to check on residents.
- The N.D. Department of Human Services continues to coordinate relief efforts through the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross.
- The State Electrical Board coordinated with Ottertail Power Company, which provides service to Coleharbor, and McLean Electrical Cooperative, which provides service to the surrounding area, regarding electrical power on-premise wiring.
- N.D. Department of Health environmental division conducted a general asbestos assessment and took samples of the old Coleharbor School. They also met with citizens and officials to discuss renovation requirements of the city-owned buildings.
E-mail comments to the Governor
