State Provides Matching Funds to Federal Disaster Assistance

ATLANTA, GA – Governor Sonny Perdue has approved a 25 percent state match, approximately $10 million, to the federal disaster funds that President Bush and the U.S. Congress have made available to Georgia. These funds will assist counties and cities responding to damage from Hurricanes Ivan and Frances.

“As we continue to assess the damages and make the needed repairs, I recognize the hardship that this situation has placed on our cities and counties,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “To help the recovery efforts, the state will pay the full 25 percent match to the federal disaster funds.”

The Governor’s Emergency Fund will provide a portion of the matching funds and the remaining portion will be included in the Governor’s budget recommendations. Matching funds are required to receive the federal assistance.

The Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) is working with more than 100 counties and 500 cities included in the disaster declaration to facilitate the disbursement of the federal and state funds. For more information on federal disaster assistance, visit FEMA’s website at www.fema.gov or GEMA’s storm recovery website at www.gemainfo.com.