Winslow Levee Funding Award
“It always seems impossible, until it’s done” – Nelson Mandela.
This week, the City of Winslow, was notified, that the City and Counties many, many years of due diligence and hard work, has paid off, and have been awarded $65.75 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, to repair our levee.
The Little Colorado River has flooded the City of Winslow seventeen times since the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) decertified the Winslow Levee in 2008. Property values have been stagnated and the region has not been able to fully realize its potential for economic vitality.
With the support of our Congressional Delegation members, Congressman O’Halleran and Senators Kelly and Sinema, funding through the Army Corps of Engineer’s Workplan has been secured for the design and construction of the Winslow Levee Project. Winslow Mayor Roberta “Birdie” Cano stated: “We are extremely fortunate to secure the final $65.75 million to design and construct the Winslow Levee Project. This monumental step in the process not only represents a new beginning for the City of Winslow, but also the culmination of our efforts in partnership with Navajo County leadership to comprehensively address the critical infrastructure needs of Winslow and the region.”
The Winslow Levee Project is critical, not only to our public safety, but also to the future economic viability of the town and neighboring jurisdictions. For years, this project has struggled to compete against wealthier urbanized communities, which traditionally have a louder voice, than those in rural areas. Repairing the levee will relieve conditions experienced by both the Navajo and Hopi Tribal residents, whom have been placed involuntarily into this Flood Zone, along with nearly every home, business, school, hospital, and service provider in Winslow.
I am looking forward to providing updates on timelines, as well as progress during this massive project; not only will it resolve a decades old problem, but will invigorate economic growth in Northern Navajo County. Keep informed at www.WhyNotWinslow.com
