FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 9, 1997
CONTACT: Dana Hagerty 202/225-2165
EAST GRAND FORKS, MN -- Congressman Collin C. Peterson (DFL-7th District) announced today that more than $15 million in federal disaster assistance is being made available by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to replace two elementary schools and one middle school in East Grand Forks. The three schools to be rebuilt are Crestwood Elementary, River Heights Elementary and Central Middle School.
"Schools are important foundations in every community, and with the release of these funds to East Grand Forks, the town will be able to continue rebuilding its future," Peterson said.
"The Flood of '97 left these schools in East Grand Forks contaminated with asbestos and biological contaminants," Peterson said. "Because of the condition of the schools, FEMA provided enough funding to replace them, rather than just repair them."
These funds will cover 90 percent of the cost to replace the schools, and the remaining 10 percent will be covered by non-federal funds.