Clay County Electric Co-op to receive FEMA funds

The funds will be used to help with recovery efforts from the January ice storm. Clay County Electric Cooperative will specificially use the money to repair or replace all eligible storm-related damage to the cooperative's electrical distribution area in Clay, Randolph and Greene Counties.

North Arkansas will receive a total of $21,255,488 from FEMA with $1,363.240 going to North Arkansas Electric Cooperative to replace existing damaged components in a 16-mile stretch of transmission line, $1,044.272 to Jonesboro City Water and Light for the repair all eligible storm-related damage to the Jonesboro electrical distribution system, and $12,868,169 to Carroll Electric Cooperative Corporation to fund the completed permanent repair work on approximately 2,938 poles, 1,260 cross-arms, 492 transformers, 707,072 feet of conducter, 27 reclosers, four oil switches, five regulators, and four capacitors in Benton, Boone, Carroll, Madison, Newton and Pope Counties.

"January's ice storm caused significant damage to the northern half of our state," Lincoln said. "In the days after the storm, our first responders and community members answered the call by assisting in the recovery response. I am pleased that the federal government is doing its part to help with recovery efforts."

"Cleaning up the damage and debris required considerable time and manpower," Pryor said. "I'm pleased FEMA came through with more federal resources to help offset the costs communities in northeast Arkansas incurred."

"Many communities across the state are still dealing with the effects of the damage and destruction from the January ice storm," said Berry. "This funding will provide local officials the resources they need to recover from this natural disaster and rebuild their communities."

"In the current economic environment it is a relief for our local communities to no longer be out of pocket for the money they committed to the ice storm cleanup effort," Boozman added. "Thanks to this federal reimbursement, now our communities can continue to focus on other essential local services."