LANSING — Today, Governor Rick Snyder announced that the state of Michigan will share the cost of FEMA-required matching funds for disaster relief with U.P. communities. The area is still working on cleaning up and rebuilding after intense flooding from catastrophic June rain storms significantly damaged roads, highways, homes and businesses in Houghton, Gogebic and Menominee counties. In response, state Rep. Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) issued the following statement:

“I am glad to see Gov. Rick Snyder authorize the state to split FEMA matching costs with our U.P. local governments who have been working non-stop since June to put our communities back together. The state’s contribution of more than $3 million is a huge help to our small communities because it means they won’t have to go broke in order to recover from these devastating storms and flooding. I remain committed to working with our local officials, families and business owners to see that we get all the resources we need to rebuild and recover.”