Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced today that over $5 billion in disaster relief funding has been approved by the U.S. Senate for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This disaster relief funding will allow the Port of Tillamook Bay to apply for $44 million in FEMA funds for economic development projects related to winter storms in 2007.
“The December 2007 flood devastated Tillamook County. Now after 3 years, the projects identified by the Port of Tillamook Bay can finally move forward,” said Merkley. “At last, this money will be available to help revitalize the Port of Tillamook and help create job opportunities in Tillamook County.”
The FEMA funding announced today removes roadblocks for the Port of Tillamook Bay to apply for the FEMA “alternative projects” program funds. These funds are in response to winter storms in 2007 that destroyed portions of the Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad. While FEMA provided funds to replace the railroad, the Port of Tillamook Bay determined that rebuilding the railroad would not be cost effective and instead chose to identify economic development projects through the FEMA “alternative projects” program.
The Port Commission went through an extensive, detailed process to select projects for FEMA funding and has been waiting for all administrative roadblocks to be removed so projects can move forward and funding can be released to Port of Tillamook Bay. With the passage of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, Tillamook County projects are one step closer to reality.
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