CHENANGO COUNTY – Through a media release issued by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo yesterday, State assistance is available for storm recovery efforts to communities in 17 counties that were impacted by the upstate flooding of June 26 through July 10, 2013 – including Chenango County – and Winter Storm Nemo of February 2013.

The State has implemented a funding strategy aimed at relieving local governments of their share of FEMA Public Assistance Program costs in an effort to minimize the financial impact on local municipalities and taxpayers, according to Cuomo's office.

“Local governments throughout these regions were left with significant recovery costs in the aftermath of extreme weather, but today the state is stepping forward to help them build back better than before,” said Cuomo in a release yesterday. “By alleviating the financial burden imposed by Mother Nature last year, we're clearing the way for local governments to focus on improving storm resiliency with the next storm in mind. That will mean safer communities in the future, and I am proud that the State is helping to make that happen,” he added.