XENIA — One month after a deadly tornado tore through this southwest Ohio city, the federal government on Friday pledged to contribute $100,000 to help the town build stronger homes, which will include safe rooms.

        It is the first time a city has been accepted into the federal program, called Project Impact, as a direct result of a community's response to a disaster.

        Since the Federal Emergency Management Agency created the program in 1997 with a goal of lessening the impact of disasters, more than 200 communities nationwide have joined.

        Rep. David Hobson, R-Ohio, announced Xenia's acceptance into the program in the parking lot of the Dayton Avenue Baptist Church, which was heavily damaged in the Sept. 20 tornado that cut through this city about 15 miles east of Dayton.

        The tornado killed one person, injured about 100, and did more than $40 million in property damage, destroying or damaging 307 homes and 25 businesses. It followed a path parallel to the April 3, 1974, tornado that hit Xenia and southwest Ohio, killing 33 people.

        The city will receive $100,000 from Project Impact, money that will be used to attract additional funds to build safe rooms and other disaster-resistant features in buildings, said Dick Kimmins, spokesman for the Ohio Emergency Management Agency.

        Safe rooms have reinforced walls and are anchored to a building's foundation in order to with stand high winds. They usually cost between $2,000 and $4,000.

        Homeowners and others wanting to build safe rooms can apply to receive the federal money.

        The city has decided to build a safe room at the heavily damaged Greene County Fairgrounds and at the city garage. The city also is requiring new and rebuilt homes to have hurricane straps, which anchor the roof to the walls.

        Four other Ohio communities and counties already are in the Project Impact program: Licking and Medina counties; Colerain Township in Hamilton County and the Columbus suburb of Westerville.

Drinking water along Ohio River safe for now
Ashland officials prepare for worst
Older towns losing people
A statesman, a dad laid to rest
County race: Battle of the ads
Judges ask drug court expansion
At Lakota, the twain meet
Debate resumes on issuing Tasers to police officers
RAMSEY: Education
Abuser's freedom raises questions
Crackdown on teen drugs, drinking urged
Dems see 1st district as vital
Fates of 2 old schools undecided
Father guilty of killing baby
Fugitive must pay for crash
He's perfect on ACT and SAT
Hooters decision appealed
HOWARD: Neighborhoods
Is it art or garbage? Both
Lucas, 3 foes trade views without heat
MCNUTT: Fond look back
Paducah plant gets $90M for cleanup
Patton-Williams fight gets personal
Schools lose stalwart
Suspect in wife's death remains in jail
Teen home skirts laws on licensing
Traffic deal to bring down Cintas gate
Xenia gets anti-twister aid
Kentucky News Briefs
Tristate A.M. Report