COLUMBUS JUNCTION, Iowa -
"Actually what happened to us during the flood last year is an amazing story," said Columbus Junction Mayor Dan Wilson.
Reason enough for U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to experience this amazing story in person. That's why the former Iowa governor wanted to see a senior center. In Columbus Junction, it represents success. The building was completely gutted and restored with community support after water reached the roof in June 2008.
"They still have work to do," Sec. Vilsack said. "They recognize they're a ways from full recovery. But the progress they've been making as a community in a year is nothing short of amazing."
It wasn't always so amazing. During the past year, contending with the flood aftermath in Columbus Junction. Nearly all of the high water hit its business community. Nearby farmers remain gunshy already into the next growing season.
"There's lots of acres of crops that are planted that people are depending upon," said Louisa County farmer Kirk Siegle. "The ag producers can't go through another year like we did last year. It will just break them."
The visit comes on the heels of $3.7 billion in federal disaster assistance being awarded to 11 states. Iowa is to receive more than $516 million and Illinois is projected to get $127 million.
While Columbus Junction is making great strides following the flood, recovery is a step-by-step process with help from a variety of sources.
This town of about 2,500 learned a lot about patience. It's a virtue helping residents and volunteers through the tough times.
"Our people, business owners, were just resilient in wanting to get back in business," Wilson said.
Not far from his Mount Pleasant roots, Secretary Vilsack connects with this Iowa assignment. It's a chance to tout the Obama stimulus package.
"We're trying to respond to these concerns and at the same time build strong communities," he said.
An amazing story, indeed, inside the senior center.
"There's still a bunch of nice people here in Iowa that's more than willing to go out there and get their hands dirty," said Site Manager Barbara Spurling. "That's what Iowans do."
Reason enough for U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to experience this amazing story in person. That's why the former Iowa governor wanted to see a senior center. In Columbus Junction, it represents success. The building was completely gutted and restored with community support after water reached the roof in June 2008.
"They still have work to do," Sec. Vilsack said. "They recognize they're a ways from full recovery. But the progress they've been making as a community in a year is nothing short of amazing."
It wasn't always so amazing. During the past year, contending with the flood aftermath in Columbus Junction. Nearly all of the high water hit its business community. Nearby farmers remain gunshy already into the next growing season.
"There's lots of acres of crops that are planted that people are depending upon," said Louisa County farmer Kirk Siegle. "The ag producers can't go through another year like we did last year. It will just break them."
The visit comes on the heels of $3.7 billion in federal disaster assistance being awarded to 11 states. Iowa is to receive more than $516 million and Illinois is projected to get $127 million.
While Columbus Junction is making great strides following the flood, recovery is a step-by-step process with help from a variety of sources.
This town of about 2,500 learned a lot about patience. It's a virtue helping residents and volunteers through the tough times.
"Our people, business owners, were just resilient in wanting to get back in business," Wilson said.
Not far from his Mount Pleasant roots, Secretary Vilsack connects with this Iowa assignment. It's a chance to tout the Obama stimulus package.
"We're trying to respond to these concerns and at the same time build strong communities," he said.
An amazing story, indeed, inside the senior center.
"There's still a bunch of nice people here in Iowa that's more than willing to go out there and get their hands dirty," said Site Manager Barbara Spurling. "That's what Iowans do."
