New York's Battery Park was one of the public areas affected by Sandy. The park also looks at Liberty Island, a National Monument. Richard Drew/AP
Labor Department joins list of agencies sending funds to Sandy’s victims
More than $27 million will go toward restoration of public lands and infrastructure.
The Labor Department on Friday announced a $27.8 million National Emergency Grant to counties in New York state suffering damage from Superstorm Sandy. The funds, which will be disbursed in two phases, will help local authorities with cleanup and recovery of public lands and infrastructure, with more available later as needs are demonstrated.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the millions of New York residents affected by the storm," Labor Secretary Hilda Solis said. "This Labor Department funding is one part of the federal government's collaborative efforts to offer immediate emergency assistance as the long process of cleanup and rebuilding begins."
Channeled through the New York State Labor Department, the emergency grant comes from the secretary’s discretionary fund and awards are based on preset criteria.
Meanwhile, on Sunday the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that more than 182,000 individuals in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey have registered for FEMA assistance and more than $158 million has been approved.