FEMA denies grant for Jasper South Main Street properties purchase

Update:

Jasper –The City of Jasper was recently notified that the grant application for acquiring properties in the South Main Street area of the city for mitigating flooding issues has been denied.

According to a press release, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS), Indiana 15 Regional Planning Commission and the City have been working with property owners since 2011 on a voluntary program whereby the city would apply for a FEMA grant which would then be used for appraisal of and potential purchase of the properties accepted in the project.  As part of the grant program the city council approved 25-percent matching funds.

IDHS received the final review from FEMA regarding the benefit cost analysis and the project will not meet the minimum benefit.  Therefore the application is being withdrawn and other possibilities may now be pursued.

The City of Jasper sent letters to affected property owners last week.

Previous entry:

The Jasper Council approved the transfer of funds between an equipment line item to a land line item in the Economic Development Income Tax fund. The transfer of $20,000 was made to potentially purchase a home in a designated flood plain in frog town. The home is going to sheriff’s sale this month and the city would like to purchase it in a plan to remove all the homes from this flood area. The city is applying for a grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the purchase of the homes. However, this house was in foreclosure and could not be included in the grant.

According to the City Clerk Juanita Boehm the money was transferred to allow the city to purchase the building but that action hinges on how or if the city can make a purchase at a sheriff’s sale. City Attorney Renee Kabrick is currently researching the process that may have to be involved.

The house is one of several the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) determined were too vulnerable to flooding to remain viable as residential housing. The city purchased 120 Main Street late last year and will be demolishing it next week.

Here is a story on the city’s plans for that area.