Fema's plans for Escambia County in Pensacola,,

[iceangel]

FEMA's Rebuilding Plans Are Formulated
dcopeland@sbgnet.com


This morning, Escambia community leaders were given their first look at FEMA's Long Term Recovery Plan.
Many multi-million dollar projects are outlined, but as of now, only "potential" sources of funding exist.
Channel Three's Andrew McIntosh tells us about the plan and how officials believe some of the projects will be funded.

Several new communities could be popping up in Escambia County.
FEMA's Long Term Recovery team identified housing as a top priority in the rebuilding effort.
The plan includes building hundreds of new houses and rental units throughout the county.

Todd Davison/FEMA: "We listed projects in there that we thought were feasible, fundable."
Escambia is expected to receive a large piece of 354-millon dollars in one-time state housing recovery funds.
HUD is also expected to hand over nine-million dollars.
The projects outlined could cost hundreds of millions.
But, as of now...

George Touart/County Administrator: "No. There are no funds appropriated, but we're gonna look for them and they're out there, we just need to know what doors to knock."
County Administrator George Touart says FEMA will help open those doors.
The agency is hiring long-term recovery specialists who will identify funding sources.

George Touart/County Administrator: "They're trying to find sources of money for us and I truly believe it can come together and be great for Escambia and Pensacola."
FEMA's Todd Davison says members of the long term recovery team work for agencies that can provide money to help bring in new businesses, move the wastewater treatment plant, and help the north end of the county develop economically.

Todd Davison/FEMA: "These were crafted in such a way that we knew the projects would be eligible, we knew that they had funds available."
FEMA's Bill Carwile says other communities that have gone through the recovery process discovered funding can be hard to find.

Bill Carwile/FEMA: "There's never enough money there's never enough time. So, yeah there's always challenges."
Challenges that are not impossible for escambia to overcome.

Carwile: "Where an agency might not be able to provide funding, they can turn to another agency and leverage all the available resources."
Touart says early this summer, he'll have a better understanding of where to turn.

Touart: "All the state agencies and federal agencies are getting together to give a matrix back to local government officials as to how we access this money."
Davison is confident money for the projects will be there and projects to provide housing, restore tourism, and bring jobs to the area will start soon.

Davison: "I would say you'll see a flurry within the next six months."