On Monday, August 1, FEMA announced the FY 2022 funding level for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) annual grant program will more than double to nearly $2.3 billion while the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) funding level will see a five-fold increase to $800 million. The funding will help communities increase resilience to heat waves, drought, wildfires, flood, and hurricanes by preparing before disaster strikes. Funding for these two programs combined has increased from $700 million in FY20 and $1.16 billion in FY21. This funding will significantly increase the ability of state and local government to enhance community resiliency and to mitigate potential issues.
There are also a number of FEMA programs which continually fund mitigation and resiliency projects. One of these ongoing Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) projects is in Leominster, MA. FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provides funding after a presidentially declared disaster to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments so they can rebuild in a way that reduces future disaster losses. Homeowners and businesses cannot directly apply for a Hazard Mitigation grant. However, a local community may apply for funding on their behalf.
The Leominster resiliency project is designed to protect the infrastructure of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The location of the project is between the treatment plant and the Leominster Connector, in the vicinity of Nashua Street. The primary purpose is to protect the infrastructure of the plant from potential failure since the banks of the Nashua River have eroded. The funding for this project is just under $900,000.
The proposed activities provide the greatest support to those with the greatest need. The project provides 100-year-level flood protection to infrastructure that serves a large portion of the community.
For communities interested in accessing these Mitigation programs should contact your State’s Hazard Mitigation Officer. You can locate your States Hazard Mitigation Officer at the following link: State Hazard Mitigation Officers | FEMA.gov For BRIC information follow this link: Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC). For FMA information, follow this link: Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA).