WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley today said President Barack Obama amended a major disaster declaration for Iowa, triggering the release of FEMA funds to help more Iowa counties recover from the severe winter storm and snowstorm that occurred from December 23 - 27.  Additional designations may be made at a later date after further evaluation.

"Winter weather hit Iowa extremely hard and caused an enormous amount of damage," Grassley said.  "It's good to see this disaster being addressed by President Obama so Iowans can continue cleaning up the damage."

FEMA will additionally provide assistance to Buena Vista, Dickinson, O'Brien, Palo Alto, Plymouth and Pocahontas counties through the Public Assistance program.  The Public Assistance program assists state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities.

FEMA will also provide snow assistance to additional counties for emergency protective measures for a 48-hour period for Buena Vista, Dickinson, O'Brien, Palo Alto and Plymouth counties.

All Iowa counties are also eligible to apply for assistance through the Hazard Mitigation Grant program.  The Hazard Mitigation Grant program assists state and local governments and certain private non-profit organizations for actions taken to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards.

Grassley sent a letter to Obama asking him to grant Governor Chet Culver's request to declare Iowa a major disaster area as a result of the severe winter storm and snowstorm that occurred on December 23 - 27.

Click here to see a copy of Grassley's letter.

from Senator Charles Grassley's office:

A new report from the Renewable Fuels Foundation says the expiration of ethanol production tax incentives would result in the loss of more than 112,000 jobs in all sectors of the economy, including those directly involved in ethanol production and all other jobs supported by the industry.  The excise tax credit (the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit, or VEETC) and the small ethanol producer tax credit both expire on Dec. 31, 2010.  Sen. Chuck Grassley, ranking member and former chairman of the Committee on Finance, has been instrumental in ensuring the growth and success of ethanol production through tax incentives.  Grassley made the following comment on today's report.

"We hear a lot of talk from the Democratic majority in Congress and the President about green jobs, clean energy, and restoring jobs and income security for the middle-class.  But the kind of policy to support clean energy jobs for the middle-class falls by the wayside under the current leadership.  The Democratic-led Congress easily could have extended the biodiesel tax credit before it expired at the end of 2009.  But the Democratic leaders chose to tangle up the biodiesel tax credit in more controversial debates, at the expense of renewable energy development and production.  As a result, the biodiesel industry has lost 29,000 clean-energy jobs, and 23,000 more jobs will be lost if that tax credit is not extended.  So there's every reason for concern about what could happen with ethanol this year.  That industry supports 400,000 jobs, and more than 112,000 jobs depend on extending the tax incentives.  These jobs are often in rural communities where employment is hard to come by.  And ethanol builds U.S. energy independence from imported oil.  Congress needs to make sure the ethanol tax incentives are extended sooner rather than later."

Dwight, Ill. (March 18, 2010) - Beginning April 3, ALDI will close its Brady Street store location in Davenport.  The select assortment discount grocer will reopen with a replacement store in the same location this fall.  ALDI continues to offer Davenport grocery shoppers a smarter alternative at its other Davenport stores, located at 5266 Elmore Ave. and 2825 Rockingham Road.  Known for its premium ALDI select brands, ALDI is able to offer high quality grocery items at unbeatable prices.

"As many loyal Davenport shoppers know, our Brady Street location has been in operation since 1976," said Heather Moore, ALDI Dwight division vice president. "We look forward to giving our customers a new, modern shopping experience.  In the interim, we have two nearby locations that will continue to provide customers with high quality products at unbeatable prices."

Customers can expect to find more than 1,400 of the most frequently purchased items sold under its select brands for prices up to 50 percent less than traditional supermarkets.  A model of efficiency, ALDI eliminates overhead costs by offering smart and efficient practices including a cart deposit system where shoppers insert a quarter to release a cart and get the quarter back upon the cart's return.  Other cost-saving practices include a smaller store footprint, open carton displays and encouraging customers to bring their own shopping bags.

ALDI also saves consumers money by keeping stores open during prime shopping times - typically from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

A grocery retailer that has grown without merger or acquisition, ALDI opened 80 new stores across the United States in 2009 and plans to open another 80 U.S. stores in 2010, including 30 new stores in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas.

Recovery Act Funds Safeguard Groundwater, Replace Aging Infrastructure

WASHINGTON, March 18, 2010 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the funding of projects in 20 states designed to protect public health by improving water quality and public sanitation services. The projects, funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act), are expected to provide construction jobs and create infrastructure needed to support community growth.

"Water and wastewater projects are moving forward in rural communities across the country and thanks to the Recovery Act, investments in water and wastewater infrastructure will help deliver safe drinking water and protect the environment throughout rural America," said Vilsack. "Through these projects, we are advancing the Obama Administration's economic recovery goals to rebuild and revitalize the nation's infrastructure. They will create urgently needed jobs when they are built and will support more job creation through rural economic development for years to come."

For example, the town of Norway, Maine, has been selected to receive a $385,000 loan and $1.1 million grant for wastewater system alterations that will improve sewer system efficiency, protect public health and safeguard groundwater quality. The project will replace ageing clay pipes, service lines and manholes. The new waste water system will reduce the waste water discharge from the Norway treatment facility into the Little Androscoggin River.

In Pitt County, N.C., the town of Bethel has been selected to receive a $256,000 loan and a $2.4 million grant to replace an aging water system that is constructed of iron, galvanized steel and asbestos-laden cement pipes. The tap water has a high iron level and is discolored. Pitt County is designated a Persistent Poverty County, with over 22 percent of the town's population below the poverty level. The project will improve water quality and boost water pressure.

The loan and grant funding announced today supports 60 projects and totals $159 million. To date, USDA has announced $2.3 billion in Recovery Act funds for water and environmental projects. The Recovery Act was signed into law by President Obama one year ago.

The funding announced today is being administered by USDA Rural Development's Water and Environmental Program which provides loans and grants to ensure that the necessary investments are made in water and wastewater infrastructure to deliver safe drinking water and protect the environment in rural areas.

Funding of individual recipients is contingent upon their meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement. Below is a complete list of award recipients, by state:

Alaska

• Matanuska Susitna Borough: $48,000 loan and $714,500 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

Georgia

• City of Reynolds: $2,025,000 loan and $3,975,000 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.

Illinois

• Fayette Water Company (Herrick): $1,125,000 loan and $1,124,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Fayette Water Company (Laclede): $1,000,000 loan and $941,500 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• City of Lawrenceville: $6,040,000 loan; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• City of Roodhouse: $5,470,000 loan; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

Iowa

• City of Bronson $311,000 loan and $239,600 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Southern Iowa Fixed Based Meters: $1,488,000 loan and $3,433,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Southern Iowa RWA Corning/Creston: $1,971,000 loan and $774,900 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Southern Iowa SW Cass Water System: $1,794,000 loan and $5,373,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• City of Hastings: $493,000 loan and $682,000 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.

• Eastern Iowa Regional Utility Service Systems Commission: $373,000 loan and $694,000 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.

• Regional Utility Service Systems Commission: $419,000 loan and $1,064,000 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.

Kansas

• Consolidated RWD #5 Atchison Co.: $3,200,000 loan; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• City of Nortonville: $622,000 loan and $493,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

Maine

• Boothbay Harbor Sewer District: $342,000 loan and $250,000 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.

• Mars Hill Utility District (Sewer): $70,000 loan and $180,000 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.

• Mars Hill Utility District (Water): $750,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Town of Norway: $385,000 loan and $1,105,000 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.

Minnesota

• City of Pine City: $1,481,000 loan and $439,000 grant. The funding will be used for water system and wastewater system improvements.

Missouri

• City of Caruthersville: $1,500,000 loan. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.

• City of Essex: $845,000 loan and $833,900 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.

• Pike County PWSD #1: $2,732,000 loan; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• City of Clarkton: $1,505,000 loan and $1,500,000 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.

• City of Grandin: $364,000 loan and $216,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• New Madrid County PWSD No. 6: $1,066,000 loan and $948,600 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

Montana

• Wolf Creek WSD: $399,000 loan and $1,162,000 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.

New York

• Village of Angelica: $500,000 loan and $347,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Town of Avon: $212,000 loan and $488,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Town of LeRoy: $55,000 loan and $140,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Town of Middletown: $475,000 loan and $708,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Town of Oakfield: $420,000 loan and $338,200 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Town of Stafford Water District #5: $404,000 loan and $496,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Village of Granville: $4,700,000 loan; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

North Carolina

• Town of Bethel: $256,000 loan and $2,426,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Town of Black Creek: $349,000 loan and $146,000 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.

• Carteret County: $1,046,000 loan and $1,515,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Town of Morehead City: $4,932,000 loan and $4,869,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Belfast-Patetown Sanitary District: $1,608,000 loan and $1,392,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Eastern Wayne Sanitary District: $2,164,000 loan and $1,811,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Southeastern Wayne Sanitary District: $3,529,000 loan and $2,971,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Town of Princeton: $333,000 loan and $458,800 grant; the funding will be used for water system and wastewater system improvements.

• Town of Rose Hill: $1,585,000 loan and $1,736,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Vance County Water District Phase 2A: $2,196,000 loan and $1,622,800 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Vance County Water District Phase 2B: $3,937,000 loan and $1,987,450 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

Ohio

• Adams County Regional Water District: $736,000 loan; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

Pennsylvania

• Ligonier Township Municipal Authority: $3,171,000 loan and $6,773,000 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.

South Dakota

• Town of Oldham: $132,000 loan and $221,000 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.

• City of Hoven: $311,000 loan and $216,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system and wastewater system improvements.

Tennessee

• City of Dyer: $405,000 loan and $71,000 grant; the funding will be used for water and wastewater system improvements.

• Hampton Utility District: $695,000 loan and $288,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• North Utility District of Rhea County: $660,000 loan and $420,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

Utah

• Central Utah Water Conservancy District: $5,000,000 loan; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Sigurd Town: $620,000 loan and $2,266,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

Vermont

• Canaan Fire District No. 2: $491,000 loan and $1,386,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

Virginia

• Washington County Service Authority: $2,755,000 loan; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Wythe County Old School Road Water: $640,000 loan and $426,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

West Virginia

• City of Keyser: $4,500,000 loan and $3,100,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

Wisconsin

• City of Kewaunee: $4,904,000 loan and $2,086,500 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.

• Village of Gilman: $550,000 loan and $155,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

President Obama signed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 into law on Feb. 17, 2009. It is designed to jumpstart the nation's economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. The Act includes measures to modernize our nation's infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.

More information about USDA's Recovery Act efforts is available at www.usda.gov/recovery. More information about the Federal government's efforts on the Recovery Act is available at www.recovery.gov.