Cedar Rapids Leaders Reach Out to Washington

By Mark Geary, Reporter

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By Mark Geary

Story Created: Jul 16, 2008 at 8:40 PM CST

Story Updated: Jul 16, 2008 at 8:40 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS -- The Cedar Rapids City Council says it's leaning toward giving millions of dollars to small businesses that were affected by the flood.

The council is considering a program where the city will match funds that others donate…up to three million dollars.

The Chamber of Commerce is managing the program that gives grants to small businesses.

The program isn't the only project the Chamber and the council are working on together. Members from both groups just got back from a trip Washington, D.C. to ask federal and state lawmakers for help.

The group of local leaders spent hours talking to lawmakers about how much destruction the flood caused.

"They have to convince other people why this is important. So, our goal was to help clarify that message and give them the support they needed to support us,” Linn County Supervisor Linda Langston said.

City and county leaders say their top priorities are finding people a place to live, repairing the systems that keep Cedar Rapids running, and working to prevent a future flood.

It's a tough economic time for the whole country... which might make it harder to get help. Plus, the federal government can move slowly.

"It's not like you go to Washington and you turn the spicket on and the funds start flowing. That's simply not realistic,” city council member Brian Fagan said.

Supervisor Langston said, "People in the Katrina affected areas still have legislation moving forward. That was three years ago."

Flood victims want answers and help now. Leaders say they're moving fast, but they also want to make sure they make the right choices.

"The decisions we make today are the promises we make to future generations and we have to make sure we can deliver those,” Fagan said.

City officials plan to have more information about how much damage was done to residential areas by the middle of next week.

In some cases, people will get letters that explain what their options are to move forward.

Council members are also talking about putting up to a half-million dollars toward financial counseling programs. The programs would help people make good choices about their home and property.

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