News Releases for August 2008
August 7, 2008
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Hoeven Announces U.S. Commerce Department Recovery Grant For Northwood
BISMARCK, ND – Gov. John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration has awarded the city of Northwood and the Red River Regional Council an $84,000 grant to develop a disaster recovery strategy to overcome present and future economic problems caused by last year's F-4 tornado.
"Northwood is a proud and resilient community, and this grant will give them an additional tool to help build their economic future," Hoeven said.
"We are anxious and excited to begin working with the Northwood community on dreaming and strategizing about future long term economic development plans," said Dawn Keeley, Business Development Director, Red River Regional Council. "As part of this process, we will also be demonstrating eSynchronist software to take a local business inventory that will serve as a model for the entire region's economic development community."
"Northwood is very excited about the funding that will enable us to capture our dreams for the renewal of our community after the devastation caused by the tornado that struck us nearly a year ago," said Northwood City Administrator Marcy Douglas. "Taking the time to plan for future generations will be an invigorating process and we can't wait to get to the drawing board."
The EDA required match is being met by the City of Northwood, the State of North Dakota, the Red River Regional Council, the Grand Forks Jobs Development Authority, and other local entities.
The city of Northwood was devastated by an F-4 tornado in August 2007. The grant enables city and the Red River Regional Council to jointly develop Northwood's Disaster Recovery Strategy to incorporate the needs of Northwood's residents and businesses, based on at least 300 interviews with Northwood stakeholders. Community and faith-based leaders will have an unprecedented opportunity to explore cooperative efforts with business leaders, educators and elected officials on the strategy team.
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