FEMA Delivers More Than $584 Million To Support Community-Led Resilience and Recovery Across the U.S.

WASHINGTON -- Today, FEMA announced the approval of more than half a billion to help states, Tribal Nations, territories and local governments build community resilience, restore critical infrastructure and invest in mitigation measures to reduce future disaster damage.

The approved funding builds on President Donald J. Trump's commitment to improving federal disaster support and ensuring taxpayer dollars are invested in projects that protect the safety and security of the American people. The $584 million is being made available through FEMA's Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, Public Assistance, Individual Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs for more than 30 states, territories and Tribal Nations across the country.

"This funding demonstrates FEMA's commitment to empowering states and local governments in their recovery efforts," said Robert Fenton, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the FEMA Administrator. "Investing in mitigation projects helps communities nationwide prepare for future disasters while safeguarding lives, property and critical infrastructure."

President Trump is keeping his promise to reform federal disaster support and ensure that taxpayer money is spent only on projects that deliver safety and security to the American people.

These investments will support a wide range of community-led projects, including public infrastructure restoration, flood protection systems and other initiatives designed to strengthen resilience against future disasters.

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities

FEMA approved nearly $24 million to help more than 20 states, territories and Tribal Nations take decisive and proactive steps to protect their communities from potential disasters such as fires, floods, earthquakes and hurricanes. The goal of the BRIC program is to save lives, protect property and reduce the cost of future disaster response and recovery by empowering states, local governments, Tribal Nations and territories to make smart investments now in resilient infrastructure.

Under the leadership of President Trump, FEMA renewed its focus on infrastructure-related hazard mitigation projects and empowering state and local leaders. By focusing funding on major infrastructure projects and shifting responsibilities to states, FEMA is confident that this BRIC program funding will deliver results and make America safer.

The primary activities and project types for funding include:

• Project scoping activities for 17 projects for more than $3.2 million - This funding helps communities conceptualize and develop application-ready projects to make them safer from natural disasters. Applications have been selected from Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, Wyoming, the Havasupai Tribe in Arizona, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe in New York and the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe in Washington.
• Building code adoption, administration and enforcement activities - This project funding is for communities to implement measures that protect critical infrastructure. This may include adopting stronger building codes and improving local workforce capabilities to enforce enhanced protection for structures. Examples include:
• Nearly $1.87 million to North Carolina to update building codes and standards to reduce the risk of building damage from severe storms.
• Nearly $1.2 million for upgrades to Vermont's fire safety building codes and standards.
• More than $660,000 to Maryland to update building codes and standards to reduce the risk of flooding.
• More than $505,000 to Massachusetts to implement higher flood building codes and standards.
• Nearly $140,000 to Weber County, Utah to fund the development, administration and enforcement for new building codes for new construction and modifications to existing structures.

Additional selected Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) projects include:

• Nearly $8.3 million to Hawaii for the purchase of a generator to power essential community facilities in the Koʻolaupoko region during long outages.
• Nearly $4.9 million to Portsmouth, Virginia for stream stabilization and restoration to reduce the risk of flooding in the city.
• More than $700,000 to Montana, Virginia and Wyoming for management costs which includes the direct and indirect costs incurred by a grantee or subgrantee to administer and manage a BRIC grant award.
• More than $300,000 to Supai, Arizona for an early flood warning system and siren for the Havasupai Tribe.

Public Assistance

FEMA approved more than $520 million for critical infrastructure repairs, debris removal and emergency protective measures across the country. Examples of funded projects include:

• $46.7 million to the New York City Housing Authority for repairs to the Butler Development facilities damaged by the remnants of Hurricane Ida.
• $40.5 million to CHRISTUS Health Corporate Headquarters in Texas for materials, rented equipment and contracts to reduce or eliminate the spread of COVID-19.
• $32.3 million to the U.S. Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority in St. Thomas for the Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power (STEP) program following Hurricane Maria.
• $25.5 million to The Medical Center, Inc. in Georgia for materials, rented equipment and contracts to reduce or eliminate the spread of COVID-19.
• $21.3 million to Jayuya, Puerto Rico for repairs to the municipal cemetery damaged by Hurricane Maria.
• $15.7 million to Lone Star College for repairs to 10 Kingwood Campus buildings damaged by Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas.

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

FEMA approved more than $33.7 million to 17 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe to support mitigation programs designed to protect lives and property during future disasters. Examples of funded projects include:

• $6.27 million to Florida, Louisiana, New Mexico, Puerto Rico, Tennessee and the U.S. Virgin Islands for 13 projectsto harden utilities and install generators for critical facilities such as water treatment plants, medical facilities, fire and police stations.
• $2.4 million for Polk County, Florida drainage improvements.
• $2.3 million for upgrades to the Boothbay Harbor Sewer District's seawall in Maine.
• $1.2 million for the Bastrop County Community Wildlife Protection Project in Texas.
• $1 million for a community saferoom in Hardin County, Texas.

Individual Assistance Grants

In addition, FEMA approved $6.7 million for Georgia's disaster case management program. This grant directly supports individuals, families and communities by connecting survivors who have unmet disaster-related needs with critical post-disaster resources to facilitate individual and family recovery.

These latest funding approvals are part of the billions of dollars in disaster recovery assistance FEMA has provided to support local communities as they rebuild from natural disasters. FEMA remains committed to working with states, Tribal Nations, territories and local communities to build a safer, more resilient nation and to ensure that all Americans are better prepared for future disasters.