Storm-torn town to continue to receive federal aid

SMITHVILLE — The town of Smithville will continue receiving federal money to pay for five municipal employees whose work is focused on helping with recovery from the April 2011 tornado.

WTVA-TV reports the board of aldermen approved receipt of a $200,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.

The grant covers the salaries for the five workers.

With the board’s approval of the grant, those employees will stay on for another year.

The town was devastated by a tornado April 27, 2011. Sixteen people were killed and 153 homes, four churches, the Town Hall, the police headquarters and 14 of the 15 businesses in the one-square-mile town were destroyed.