Cedar Rapids Weather
How to Apply for Jumpstart MoneyBy Justin Foss, Reporter
CEDAR RAPIDS - Flood victims in one of the hardest-hit cities can start applying for up to $72,000 in state financial aid, on Tuesday morning.
Jumpstart Iowa is a $40-million state program. Cedar Rapids alone gets nearly half of that money. Homeowners were allocated about $8-million. Small businesses were allocated just more than $12-million. Cedar Rapids officials said applying for the help will be a two-step process. "Whatever we can get, we are in need of," said Lorie Coon. Coon's home was damaged in the flood by two feet of water on the first floor. Monday she called Cedar Rapids city hall to find out about the application process. The city didn't have answers until the afternoon. In most cities and counties, you'll have to fill out an application either at city hall or on line. But, for Cedar Rapids residents, starting Tuesday at 8 a.m. all you have to do is call 2-1-1. Then, two weeks later a city representative will meet with you. They'll ask about things like the damage to your home and how much help you've received. The goal is to hand out money by the end of October for each of the counties and cities. There's not enough money for everyone, so cities and counties now have to decide if they want to help some people with a lot of money, or help a lot of people with some money. Cedar Rapids will start tackling that decision on Wednesday at the City Council Meeting. Each city and county handing out money said they want to give everyone a fair shot, but what puts one home above another will vary in each area. "This Jump Start money is a great start, it's not a lot of money, it's definitely going to be a competitive application process for sure," said Chad Sands with ECICOG. Sands is the point person for most of the Eastern Iowa counties like Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Linn and Washington. Sands said hopefully this one application will be enough so people don't have to apply again when more money becomes available. If you live in one of these cities, call the corresponding number: City of Cedar Falls: Call Bob Seymour at 319.273.8606 or email Bob.Seymour@cedarfalls.com City of Cedar Rapids Call 2-1-1 City of Des Moines: Call Tom Nancarrow at 515.283.4512 or email tjnancarrow@dmgov.org City of Iowa City: Call Steve Long at 319.356.5250 or email steve-long@iowa-city.org City of Waterloo: Call Rudy Jones at 319.291.4429 or email WaterlooFlood2008@gmail.com If you DO NOT live in one of the above cities, call your county representative - click HERE for full list. Email Justin Foss at Justin.Foss@kcrg.com More Good Stuff |
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