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Northeast-Midwest Institute Weekly Update 
 March 25, 2013
In This Issue
Recap: MS River Mayors' Capitol Hill Meeting and Photo Exhibit
NEMW states receive $270.4 million from Sportfish Restoration Fund Grants for FY2013
Superstorm Sandy Uninsured Losses For NY and NJ Fishing Industry Estimated Up To $198 Million
Make it in America Challenge Funding Announced
Recap: MS River Mayors' Capitol Hill Meeting and Photo Exhibit

NEMWI's Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative (MRCTI) last week hosted a dozen mayors from nine of the Mississippi River states in Washington, DC. Their visit culminated in a press conference on March 21, at which the mayors and members of Congress announced two major efforts to bolster the health of the waterway. Senator Roy Blunt (R, MO), Senator Tom Harkin (D, IA), Congressmen Rick Crawford (R, AR), Congressman Tim Walz (D, MN), Congressman Kind (D, WI), and Congressman Stephen Fincher (R, TN) joined with MRCTI Mayors to announce the formation of the Mississippi River Caucus, a bi-partisan, bi-cameral Congressional group that will collaborate in addressing issues impacting the River. In addition, the visiting MRCTI Mayors unveiled a Mississippi River Platform as part of the group's work to bring national attention back to the River and spearhead a new level of regional cooperation to make it more sustainable. Participating MRCTI Mayors included: Mayor Slay, St. Louis, MO - Co-Chair; Mayor Kleis, St. Cloud, MN - Co-Chair; Mayor Huber, Prescott, WI; Mayor Buol, Dubuque, IA; Mayor Smiley, Clarksville, MO; Mayor Thompson, Grafton, IL; Mayor Hoechst, Alton, IL; Mayor Wharton, Memphis, TN; Mayor Kennemore, Osceola, AR; Mayor Winfield, Vicksburg, MS; Mayor Brown, Natchez, MS; and Mayor Copeland, Vidalia, LA. 

A photographic exhibit--organized by MRCTI in partnership with member-city arts councils--that showcased the beauty and importance of the River served as a backdrop for the briefing. Sponsored by Ingram Barge Company, the exhibit was laid out on top of a giant floor map of the River and featured the work of photographers from cities spanning the entire length of the waterway. 

  MS River Exhibit

For more information, contact Colin Wellenkamp, Director of the MS River Cities & Towns Initiative at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.

NEMW states receive $270.4 million from Sportfish Restoration Fund Grants for FY2013
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that more than $882.4 million in excise tax revenues generated in 2012 will be distributed to state and territorial fish and wildlife agencies. These funds support fish and wildlife conservation and recreation projects. The total amounts apportioned from the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Program and the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Program include the 5.1% sequester reduction. Eligible projects must provide at least a 25% match to the federal funds. The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs have generated more than $15.3 billion since their beginnings (1937 for Pittman-Robertson and 1950 for Dingell-Johnson). State agency matches have totaled more than $5.1 billion in that time. The Northeast-Midwest states have routinely received around 30% of the totals over the past years.

For more information, contact Danielle Chesky, Director of the Great Lakes Washington Program, Northeast-Midwest Institute.
Superstorm Sandy Uninsured Losses for NY and NJ fishing Industry Estimated Up To $198 Million
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Fisheries Service released the results of its rapid appraisal effort on the impacts of Superstorm Sandy on the commercial and recreational fisheries of New Jersey and New York. The assessment considered impacts and uninsured losses for the bait, for hire, dealer, harvester, marina, and processor sectors. Uninsured losses for the two states are estimated to range from $155 to $198 million, with the average insurance coverage in New York at 35% and in New Jersey at 24%, indicating that insurance coverage for the fisheries sectors in the region was insufficient. Five million dollars in fisheries relief funding was included in the Superstorm Sandy Disaster Appropriations bill, signed into law in January 2013.

For more information, contact Danielle Chesky, Director of the Great Lakes Washington Program, Northeast-Midwest Institute.
Make it in America Challenge Funding Announced 
The Obama Administration announced this week a new funding opportunity to encourage businesses to bring production and jobs back to the U.S. Up to 15 awards will be made to accelerate job creation by encouraging re-shoring of productive activity by U.S. firms, encouraging U.S. companies to keep or expand job opportunities at home, and train local workers to meet business needs. Click here for more information on the Make it in American Challenge; applications are due by May 31, 2013.

For more information, contact Colleen Cain, Senior Policy Analyst at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.

>>>  The Northeast-Midwest Institute: Taking the Rust out of the Rust Belt!  <<<

 

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