Ascension Parish Awarded Disaster Recovery Grant Funding For Several Projects

State officials presented Ascension Parish President Tommy Martinez with a disaster recovery funding check worth more than two million dollars to be used for several projects in Ascension Parish.

Pat Forbes, executive director with the state Office of Community Development, presented the check worth $2,258, 043 during the parish council meeting on April 19. Forbes said the purpose of the presentation was to deliver the second payment of what will be a total of over $19 million in funding for Ascension Parish for damages from Hurricane’s Gustav and Ike.

Forbes said the state received about $1 billion in federal tax funds through the Department of Housing and Urban Development for recovery of the two hurricanes. He said approximately half of that funding is in the process of being allocated to parishes that were affected by the storms to fund their own recovery priorities.

“It has been a pleasure working with Ascension Parish, with the administration, President Martinez and his staff,” Forbes said. “Over 70 percent of the $19 million that is allocated to Ascension Parish is already obligated through approved applications.

“Ascension Parish has been very aggressive in investing their recovery dollars from hurricanes Gustav and Ike,” Forbes said. “The three projects we’re addressing tonight are allowing the parish to help with funding for the construction of a new police station in Gonzales, purchase the Louisiana Fairgrounds in Donaldsonville and conduct a study of the drainage issues on the West Bank. These projects will all help speed the economic recovery of Ascension, and help prepare the parish against future disasters.”

President Martinez complimented the ongoing relationship Ascension Parish Government has with the state Office of Community Development.

“On behalf of the Parish and the Council, I want to thank you for being here tonight and working with us,” President Martinez said to Executive Director Forbes.