TRUMBULL COUNTY Administrator's advice: Apply quickly for faster flood relief

By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
CHAMPION -- The quicker you get the applications in, the quicker you get reimbursed for flood expenses.
That's what Greg Keller, grants administrator for the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, told Trumbull County government officials Thursday.
The meeting was for government agencies, local governments, school districts and some private, nonprofit organizations applying for disaster assistance.
The entities are seeking assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's public assistance program, which is separate from individual assistance sought by home and property owners.
FEMA generally provides 75 percent of the funding for eligible applicants.
The state usually contributes about 12.5 percent with the local government responsible for the remainder.
Qualified projects
Keller said he hoped to get completed applications at Thursday's meeting from each of the entities attending.
It takes two to three weeks from the filing of an application for an entity to receive a check for a qualified project.
Ohio EMA will monitor projects and entities must submit quarterly progress reports. For projects of more than $53,000, state EMA representatives will meet with the designated official of the governmental entity periodically while the project is being done.
"They have up to a year and a half to fix what's broke," Keller said.
Damages have been estimated at more than $4 million in Trumbull County.
denise.dick@vindy.com