PERRY CO. ELIGIBLE FOR DISASTER DOLLARS

JEFFERSON CITY - Fourteen Missouri counties, including Madison and Perry, have been declared eligible for federal public assistance funds as a result of severe flooding and storms last November.

The State Emergency Management Agency will soon be scheduling briefings for local officials to explain the program and application process.

Sen. Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, whose district includes Perry and Madison Counties, explained, "these loans will be used to help re-build roads, bridges and public property.

"I am committed to working with local officials to ensure that damage is corrected and peoples' lives return to normal."

All of the counties declared eligible for public assistance, and several others, had earlier been declared eligible for individual assistance because of damage caused by the storm.