Representatives from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and Lauderdale County Emergency Management Agency, gathered with city and county officials at Union Station Thursday to hand over the first $50,000 check to Partners In Recovery. The money, which was obtained through grants, will help people whose property was damaged in the April 14 tornado.

The tornado primarily affected residents in Meridian, particularly in the East End, and the town of Marion. However, damages did not total enough to receive disaster funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“The April 14 tornado did not do enough damage to be declared a disaster,” said John Williamson, LEMA assistant director. “We had to appoint a long term recovery committee of five people in each area to manage dispensing the funds.” These committees make up the Partners in Recovery, who will study how to distribute the funds.

This is only the first check, said Williamson, and once receipts are turned in, another $50,000 will be made available. A total of $250,000 in grant money is available.

The funds can only be used to purchase building supplies, but Williamson said there are other grant monies to help pay for labor.

“We are doing a case-by-case study to see how to dispense the funds,” he said.

Those without insurance may find the funds enable them in rebuilding their homes.

Private funding for labor is being sought from local faith-based groups and Wesley House has set up an account to be used by Partners In Recovery. Groups wanting to donate labor for electrical or plumbing work may also do this through private funds made to Wesley House.