“This funding will address some of our greatest needs, but it is still not enough,” Jones said.  “North Carolina faces the largest housing crisis in the nation and our beaches are in terrible shape.  We have also never experienced such damage and devastation to farm equipment and structures.  These are areas I will continue to work in Congress to build upon.”

The President’s proposal will provide North Carolina with approximately $252 million in hurricane assistance, in addition to the almost $2 billion that North Carolina has and will receive in federal funds to aid recovery efforts from Hurricane Floyd.

The proposal includes funding for federal agencies and activities, which include:
 

• United States Department of Agriculture (USDA):  $111 million, which includes $81 million for debt relief to marketing associations that assist Eastern North Carolina farmers, and the authorization to use funds from the Emergency Conservation Program to repair farm structures and equipment damaged by hurricanes

• FEMA:  $77 million to fund eligible buyouts of damaged homes in the 100-year flood plan ($215 million was appropriated last year)

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA):  $6 million to assist fishermen in North Carolina and $2 million for repairs to the Beaufort laboratory 

• Army Corps of Engineers:  $19 million for emergency dredging and debris removal

• Defense:  $27 million to repair defense facilities affected by Hurricane Floyd

• Small Business Administration (SBA):  $51 million in loan subsidies for storm-damaged homeowners and businesses (SBA expects to issue $600 million in loans for Floyd damage

• Economic Development Agency (EDA):  $25 million to help development district and states plan for long-term economic development and recovery in Floyd-affected areas

“The President’s budget supplemental proposal includes funding for U.S. military involvement in Kosovo and aid for Columbia.  But rest assured I will continue working with the House Leadership, members of the North Carolina delegation, and the House Appropriations Committee to ensure the needs of disaster victims in America are and remain the greatest priority,” Jones said.