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Thursday, March 8, 2012

Puerto Rico Receives Additional $8.5 Million from the U.S. Department of Labor to Repair Damage Caused by Hurricane Irene

In total, the Island has received nearly $13 million for Irene cleanup and recovery from the agency

Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi announced today that the U.S. Department of Labor has provided Puerto Rico with an $8.5 million National Emergency Grant to continue cleanup and recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, which struck Puerto Rico in August 2011. That same month, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, declared an emergency situation.

“Following FEMA’s declaration, a National Emergency Grant was awarded on September 28, 2011, for nearly $13 million dollars, with $4 million released initially to support recovery efforts. This $8.5 million represents the remainder of that grant,” said Pierluisi.

National Emergency Grants are part of the Secretary of Labor’s discretionary fund and are awarded based on a jurisdiction’s ability to meet specific guidelines.

“Puerto Rico is still recovering from the damage and devastation of this massive storm,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “The additional assistance announced today will enable the people of Puerto Rico to complete the hard work of cleanup and recovery.”

On August 27, 2011, FEMA declared the following 51 municipalities eligible for FEMA’s Public Assistance Program: Adjuntas, Aguada, Aguas Buenas, Aibonito, Añasco, Arecibo, Arroyo, Barranquitas, Bayamón, Caguas, Canóvanas, Carolina, Cataño, Cayey, Ceiba, Ciales, Cidra, Coamo, Comerío, Corozal, Culebra, Fajardo, Guayama, Guaynabo, Gurabo, Humacao, Jayuya, Juana Díaz, Juncos, Las Marías, Las Piedras, Luquillo, Maricao, Maunabo, Morovis, Naguabo, Naranjito, Orocovis, Rincón, Río Grande, Sábana Grande, Salinas, San Lorenzo, Santa Isabel, Trujillo Alto, Utuado, Vega Baja, Vieques, Villalba, Yabucoa and Yauco.

For more information, visit http://www.doleta.gov/NEG.