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LaMalfa and USDA Work to Increase Disaster Recovery Funding for Paradise

July 9, 2019
(Washington, DC) – Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement applauding the United State Department of Agriculture's (USDA) attention to Butte County's recovery needs as more funding is set to be announced for Paradise today on Tuesday, July 9th at the California Financing Coordinating Committee's funding fair in Chico, CA.
The additional funding comes as a result of language offered by Congressman LaMalfa and Senator Dianne Feinstein to a disaster aid package that overwhelmingly passed the House and Senate in June and the President has since signed into law. The amendment language allows California Governor Gavin Newsom to certify Paradise's current population as 5,000, instead of 27,000 listed before the Camp Fire. This will make the city eligible for $150 million in rural development grants that can help with recovery, including housing and wastewater projects.
Under the disaster aid package, the counties of Butte, Tehama, Shasta, and Modoc will also be eligible to apply for new community facilities disaster funds.
LaMalfa said: "Since the Camp Fire devastated the town of Paradise late last year, we've left no stone unturned in order to secure as much funding as possible to aid with recovery. Senator Feinstein and I authored language in the recently-passed disaster aid bill that makes Paradise eligible for $150 million in new rural development grant funds. The new funding we're seeing is a direct result of those efforts. As we await Governor Newsom's official certification, I thank USDA, and in particular the efforts of State Director Kim Vann, for their nonstop attention to the needs of Butte County throughout this recovery process and for their prompt response to ensure the city of Paradise is back on its feet as quickly as possible."
Kim Vann, State Director for USDA Rural Development, said: "Rural Development has been working closely with community leaders to help support the recovery and rebuilding after the destruction of the Camp Fire. We're proud to work alongside Rep. LaMalfa and other state and local partners to continue those efforts, and this additional funding will help expedite plans to rebuild Paradise in a safe and efficient manner."
Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California's First Congressional District, including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.
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