FEMA is resuming a major grant program
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- FEMA has reopened applications for the $1 billion Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program, which was canceled last year following a federal judge's order to restore funding.
- The BRIC program supports states, local governments, territories, and tribes in disaster preparedness projects aimed at mitigating natural hazards such as fires, floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes.
- The program's cancellation last April by FEMA's previous acting leader sparked bipartisan backlash as it halted about $3.6 billion in disaster mitigation funding, with a court ruling mandating its reinstatement.
- New program rules shift more responsibility to state and local governments, prioritize ready-to-implement major infrastructure projects, and include caps and scoring incentives to aid smaller and impoverished communities.
- Experts emphasize that proactive disaster mitigation saves lives and money, with studies showing that every $1 invested in preparedness can save $13 in economic damages and recovery costs.
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