The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded two public assistance grants totaling $20.8 million to repair the badly damaged schools in West.
The funds will go toward repairing and rebuilding schools in the West Independent School District that were damaged by the massive fertilizer plant explosion in April, 2013.
After the grants were announced, Congressman Bill Flores released the following statement:
"I applaud FEMA for awarding the much needed funds to help the West schools rebuild after being severely damaged by the plant explosion. These grants could not come at a better time as West ISD is hoping to start construction of new school facilities in the near future. With the help of these grants, the students will soon be able to leave their current environment in temporary facilities for permanent classrooms and facilities."
The grants will provide for 75 percent of the funding for a new West High School and a new West Intermediate School. Both buildings are scheduled to begin construction in April.
