State feels pressure in flood recovery efforts, blames media

Kevin Kelleher, flood coordinator for the Department of Employment and Economic Development, stood before the Winona County Board on Tuesday night and blamed “negative press” for the perception that government help has been slow to come after August’s floods near Rushford, Minn.In September, $16 million was appropriated for housing relief, but only $5 million has been allocated. Much of the controversy surrounds the state’s Quick Start loan program. The state anticipated 400 people would register for the forgivable loans, but so far only 80 have done so. In response, Minnesota Housing officials doubled the amount of the loan from $23,000 to $46,000 and pushed the registration deadline back until March 14.

Tom Elko :: State feels pressure in flood recovery efforts, blames media Kelleher expressed frustration with “people in the press who are unhappy [with the funding response], but they have not applied for it.” He added, “you need to do the paperwork.”