Up to $13 million of financial aid and construction projects will be given to help families, businesses and local governments recover from the deadly tornado that damaged several Southern Illinois communities on Feb. 29.

This announcement was made Monday by the heads of state agencies, under the direction of Gov. Pat Quinn.

The money will be used to reimburse local governments for disaster-related expenses, improve roads, help home-owners repair damaged homes and give low-interest business loans to create jobs and help businesses recover.

“This assistance package offers real solutions for the long-term recovery effort in Harrisburg and other communities. Recovery from this tornado won’t happen overnight, but these resources will help residents and businesses of hard hit areas in Southern Illinois begin to rebuild their lives,” Quinn said in a press release.

FEMA had denied assistance for people affected by the tornado on March 10, leading Quinn to secure support through the U.S. Small Business Administration.

“I will continue to work with Governor Quinn and the Illinois Congressional Delegation to seek further opportunities for federal assistance to help these communities rebuild,” Senator Dick Durbin said in a press release.