Flood-damaged Southeastern Minn. Receives $77 Million in State Funding

State officials say southeastern Minnesota has received more than $77 million in state aid to help the area recover from last August’s devastating flooding.

The money received so far is part of a $157 million emergency relief package signed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty in September to help seven southeastern Minnesota heavily damaged by flooding.

State Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Dan McElroy chairs the Minnesota Recovers Task Force. McElroy says the state disaster relief is “helping people rebuild their homes, communities and businesses.”

A variety of state agencies are distributing the funding, which is helping communities reopen businesses, remove flood debris, and repair or replace damaged roads and bridges.

The seven counties that were declared federal disaster areas after the storm are Fillmore, Winona, Houston, Steele, Olmsted, Dodge and Wabasha.