( CNN ) -- The Obama administration has issued a disaster declaration for the Texas town hit by fertilizer plant blasts in April . The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Friday aid for the area affected by the tragedy in the town of West . Federal funding will supplement state and local recovery efforts `` for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the explosion in McLennan County , '' FEMA said . The April 17 fire led to simultaneous blasts at a fertilizer distribution facility , killing 15 and decimating homes , businesses and more within 37 blocks . This decision came after FEMA in June told Gov . Rick Perry it was denying a request to declare the small town a `` major disaster '' area , a move sharply criticized by local and state officials . The letter from FEMA spokesman Craig Fugate noted Obama had previously issued an emergency declaration and other measures that paved the way for some direct federal assistance . `` Based on our review of all of the information available , it has been determined that the remaining costs for permanent work is within the capabilities of the state and affected local governments , '' Fugate said at the time . `` Accordingly , we have determined that a major disaster declaration is not necessary . '' After the Friday announcement , Perry , who slammed the FEMA move two months ago , lauded a successful state appeal of the initial federal move . `` The approval of the state 's appeal for a major disaster declaration is great and welcome news for the people of West , '' Perry said . `` I appreciate everyone who joined me in standing with the people whose lives have been forever impacted to move this appeal forward , especially our congressional delegation . '' Perry said the federal action and the state legislature 's disaster relief funding `` will help this community rebuild their infrastructure , school district and public works as quickly as possible . '' A fire at the facility operated by West Fertilizer Company set off two explosions that registered on seismographs as a magnitude-2.1 earthquake and were felt 50 miles away . The blasts leveled a portion of the town , damaging numerous homes , a nursing home and the town 's high school and middle school . According to local officials , the city is still well short of the $ 17 million it needs to repair roads , water and sewage lines and other damaged infrastructure . CNN 's Elwyn Lopez contributed to thsi report .
April 17 blast in Texas town killed 15 people . Rick Perry lauds the state appeal for a disaster declaration . FEMA denied a request in June for a `` major disaster '' area .