Flood Recovery

The Clay County Community Foundation handed out Community Betterment Grants to dozens of organizations throughout Clay County

The International Harvestor Collector’s convention was at the Clay County Fairgrounds on flood weekend. That Saturday night they cancelled their banquet and donated all of the food to shelters. Organizer and former Iowa President Jeff Eldrid was back in town for Ag Outlook Tuesday with a monetary.

State Representative Megan Jones of Sioux Rapids is dealing with numerous flood-related issues in the current legislative session. She currently writing a bill that would allow residents to proactively save money for repairs.

Anyone affected by the floods of 2024 are strongly encouraged to attend one of two assessments coming to Spencer in February. Megan Hanges from LTRG has details.

Local Businesses in Spencer can apply for the Commercial Business Assistance Grant Program through the Spencer Economic Development Corporation. Starting today, applications will be accepted, and the money is to be used to cover up to 25 percent of certain recovery costs, like replacing equipment, furniture and inventory.

Clay County Heritage Center in Spencer is re-opened, after getting eighteen inches of flood water last June in their South Gallery. Located on Grand Avenue and First Avenue, it was one of the first buildings impacted as the Little Sioux River started flooding June 22.

Two million dollars in FEMA funds have been freed up for the Spencer Community Schools.

State Representative Megan Jones invited local leaders from Spencer to the statehouse to testify at the Local Government Committee she chairs and extended an invitation to Speaker Pat Grassley to stop by for a few minutes.

The Dickinson County Board of Supervisors has engaged an engineer to design a new outlet for the Iowa Great Lakes chain. Hydrologist Larry Weber – director of the Iowa Flood Center – has looked at the plans.

Three local individuals have been hired to help lead and support the county’s ongoing disaster recovery efforts following this summer’s flood