TENN. SENATORS NOTE $6 MILLION IN FEDERAL DISASTER AID FOR JACKSON:

U.S. Sens. Bill Frist and Lamar Alexander, both Tennessee Republicans, recently announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved two grants totaling more than $6 million to pay for electric utility system repairs resulting from the severe storms and tornadoes that struck Jackson, Tenn., in May. “FEMA’s announcement today will provide much-needed federal assistance to help Jackson and Madison County continue rebuilding from the severe storms last spring,” said Frist. “I appreciate FEMA for not only acting quickly in the midst of the disaster, but for its continued support throughout the recovery process.” The first grant totaling more than $800,000 is for the Southwest Tennessee Electric Cooperative. The second grant of more than $5.2 million is to Jackson Energy Management for repairs made throughout the tornado-damaged community. These grants comes from the FEMA public assistance program which makes funds available for reimbursement of disaster-related damages to state and local governments and certain non-profit entities that provide essential services to a community.