FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATIONAL DISASTER RESILIENCE COMPETITION - Flood Mitigation and Revitalization Opportunity for Millington and Shelby County
MILLINGTON, TN (September 16, 2015) –Shelby County has applied for a $39 million disaster resiliency grant for flood mitigation measures that would provide greatly enhanced protection for Millington’s citizens, businesses and industries from future flooding disasters. The grant is designed to make Millington and other areas of Shelby County more resilient to future disasters and revitalize areas affected by flooding. By kick starting the Millington GreenPrint Project and providing more areas for parks and recreation, the grant, if awarded as requested, will improve the quality of life for Millington’s citizens. Join in the discussion with Shelby County Government concerning the county’s application to the National Disaster Resilience Competition (NDRC) – a $1 billion federal grant. The program seeks broad input from residents county-wide and specifically from the communities like Millington that were directly affected by severe storms and flooding in 2011.
The public is invited and encouraged to attend a public meeting on October 1, 2015 at the Harvell Civic Center from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM. The Harvell Civic Center is located at 8077 Wilkinsville Road in Millington. This will be the second public meeting Shelby County has held in Millington in addition to the Shelby County Front Porch that was seen at the 26th Annual International Goat Days Festival to inform the public and collect public input on the project. Please make plans to attend the public meeting and visit www.resilientshelby.com/survey and share your thoughts via an online survey on the greatest needs and ways to change thinking, planning and action in the face of changing weather patterns and natural disasters.
NDRC Summary & Key Facts
The U.S Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is making available $1 billion in CDBG-DR funding to state and local governments impacted by disasters in 2011 – 2013 for the purpose of promoting innovative resilience projects to better prepare communities for future storms and other events. A total of 67 eligible applicants competed in Phase I, and 40 were chosen (including Shelby County) to move to Phase II.
Objectives & Key Criteria
Proposals must be tied to an eligible disaster from 2011-2013, must address an unmet need resulting from the qualifying disaster, and must prepare communities to face future disasters.
Emphasis is placed on science-based, forward looking risk analysis. The goals are to:
• Institutionalize resilient approaches to disaster recovery;
• Engage stakeholders to inform them of impacts of climate change and the importance of developing resiliency based on sound science;
• Leverage investments from public, private, and philanthropic sectors
Awards are expected to be announced in January – February, 2016.
ABOUT MILLINGTON, TENNESSEE
Located just minutes from Memphis, Millington enjoys an exceptional quality of life for an estimated 10,000 citizens. Quality education, recreation and economic growth make Millington a great place to live, work and play. Millington is home to the Millington Municipal School District as well as a variety of public and private, faith based schools and various colleges, universities and technical institutions are in the area. In 2004, The University of Memphis opened its Millington Campus and offers undergraduate and graduate courses in numerous fields of study. Millington is home to Naval Support Activity Mid-South, Ingram Micro, Memphis International Raceway, USA Stadium, Mirimichi and other golf courses providing opportunities for economic growth and world-class recreation. Millington’s West Tennessee Regional Business Center, a publicly owned business and industry center, features 1900 acres of prime industrial space with easy access to the Millington Regional Jetport and the Canadian National Railroad. True intermodal transportation and shipping, makes Millington the perfect place for business. Widely known as “Flag City, USA,” Millington offers the best of the Mid-South.
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