$15 million federal grant for Bloomsburg floodwall

(Bloomsburg) -- Pennsylvania's U.S. senators say the federal government has awarded a  $15 million grant to Bloomsburg.

The money will be used to build a floodwall that will shield two of the city's top employers from dangerous flooding.

Democrat Bob Casey and Republican Pat Toomey say the grant from the federal Economic Development Administration will pay for design and construction of a floodwall around Autoneum and Windsor Foods.

They say both Columbia County manufacturers are frequently flooded when the Susquehanna River and Fishing Creek overflow their banks.

In a letter supporting the county's application, the senators say flooding costs an average of more than $4.5 milion in Bloomsburg and disrupts business and education, threatens basic services and endangers residents.