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Local Business Organization Applauds U.S. Senate Action Related to Flood Protection

September 16, 2021
Local Business Organization Applauds U.S. Senate Action Related to Flood Protection
Bipartisan Bill Includes Funding, Policies to Strengthen Transportation Infrastructure
 
SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 [Healdsburg, CA] – With flooding events becoming more intense and frequent, including events like the recent flooding in New York City, the U.S. Senate took action to lessen the economic and recovery impacts of these disasters by passing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The legislation now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.  The bipartisan bill makes a landmark commitment to improving the ability of the nation’s infrastructure, such as its roads and bridges, to withstand flooding while also supporting state and community programs designed to improve local resilience.

“No community is immune to flooding.  Unfortunately rebuilding and starting over after flooding is not even an option for many businesses. With the cost of flooding and impacts continuing to grow across the nation, the Senate’s actions provide much-needed funding and guidance for communities like ours to help limit the impacts of future events,” said Tallia Hart, CEO of the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce. “Whether it’s building roads, bridges and overpasses in a way that are less susceptible to flooding, local residents will be safer and our businesses more secure.”

Key provisions in the legislation that would help limit the impacts from flooding include $8.7 billion being dedicated for a first-of-its-kind transportation resilience grant program to support state and community actions that reduce the vulnerability of roads, bridges, and other transportation assets to natural disasters.  The bill also establishes incentives for states and regional planning organizations to address future risk in long-term transportation plans.

“For too long our county’s infrastructure needs have been neglected.  It’s time for the House of Representatives to ensure that any infrastructure package that advances include the flood-related safeguards approved by the Senate,” said Hart.   
According to Forbes Tompkins, manager of The Pew Charitable Trusts’ Flood-Prepared Communities program, “The resilience measures included in the bipartisan bill can make significant strides toward better preparing communities and infrastructure for these threats by weaving disaster mitigation into the foundation of new and existing federal programs.”
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About the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce
Our Mission is to encourage and promote a positive, balanced, vital economy and preserve those unique qualities that are good for business and make Healdsburg a special place in which to visit, live and work. For more information, please visit www.Healdsburg.com.
Contact:
Jessica Bohon, Director of Marketing & Communications
jessica@healdsburg.com, (707) 433-6935