Advocating for Flooded Businesses, Making the World Safer, Green Economy Growing

Dear Friends,

For many, the March floods are now something that will live in our memories like the Blizzard of '78. But for others, the road to recovery remains a daily struggle. Homes are still in disrepair or completely uninhabitable. The drying out and cleaning lingers. About 2,000 of our neighbors are still unable to go home.

To date, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved more than $36 million in grants and loans to Rhode Islanders who filed for help. If you have not registered with FEMA yet and your home or business was damaged from March 12 through April 12, it is not too late: Disaster Assistance or call: 1-800-621-3362.

The last day to register for FEMA and SBA assistance is May 28, 2010. It is strongly encouraged that you complete the SBA application for a low-interest loan.  If your claim is denied by SBA then you will be redirected to FEMA where additional funds may be available. You are not required to accept the SBA loan if you are approved.  The last day to register for non-profits who need public assistance is May 8.

Ongoing assistance in registering is also available from the federal-state Disaster Recovery Centers. There are currently four Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) operating in the Second Congressional District at the following locations:

• South County Community Action Agency
  34 Pond Street
  Westerly, RI 02891


• Cranston-Garden City
  150 Hillside Road
  Cranston, RI 02920


• West Warwick Community Center
  145 Washington Street
  West Warwick, RI 02893


• Wakefield Mall
  160 Old Tower Hill Road
  South Kingstown, RI 02879

The water was still rising on March 31 at the Pawtuxet River trailhead in the parking lot of Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet in Cranston.

In this issue:

Advocating for Flooded Businesses

Making the World Safer

Green Economy Growing

Advocating for Flooded Businesses
Since the March floods, the one consistent message I have heard from small business trying to recover is that loans just won't help them this time.  For many businesses, who were already struggling due to the economy, it does not make sense for them to add more debt during these uncertain times.  To help bridge the gap for businesess, allowing them to reopen and retain employees, Congressman Patrick Kennedy and I introduced H.R. 5007 - the Small Business Disaster Assistance Grant Program Act of 2010.

Langevin speaks with Homeland Security Secreatary Janet Napolitano about bringing more aid to the state, before an aerial tour of flooded areas.

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Making the World Safer
One of my duties as the chair of the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee is to help shape our nation's nuclear weapons policy in a way that balances the role of our nuclear deterrent forces with the goals of preventing nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism. Given these priorities, the release of President Obama's Nuclear Posture Review, as well as his signing of the new START Treaty with Russia, were two developments I watched closely. The NPR sets a framework to protect our nation today and to deter future threats.  In addition, the new treaty comes at a critical time, and sends a clear message to the world that we intend to reduce our reliance on nuclear weapons, while also reaffirming important measures to verify and inspect strategic arms.

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Green Economy Growing
Jobs and alternative energy solutions were the beneficiaries of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding in our state this month.  I was proud to join Mayor Cicilline to launch a $2.4 million green jobs initiative that will prepare 200 low-income Providence residents to compete in the 21st-century workforce.

I was also honored to join U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan as he announced that over 100 apartments at Shalom Housing in Warwick will become greener and more energy efficient as a result of $1.4 million in ARRA funds. In addition to furnishing the residences with new, energy efficient appliances, Shalom will be installing a wind turbine.

These two projects are exactly what I had in mind when I voted for ARRA. Supporting job development and making smart, green infrastructure improvements are key to improving our economy.

Langevin joins Shaun Donovan, HUD Secretary, Bonnie Sekeres, executive director of Shalom Housing and Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian to announce ARRA funding for Shalom.

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Thank you for your continued interest and support. Please do not hesitate to contact me about your priorities and concerns as the 111th Congress continues.

Sincerely,