FEMA: Approves $41 million in Hurricane Michael Public Assistance grants

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued the following announcement on May 18.

FEMA has approved nearly $41 million for the State of Florida to reimburse seven applicants for eligible costs of debris removal, emergency protective measures and permanent repairs following Hurricane Michael.

These grants include:

• Bay District Schools – $16,050,960 for architecture and engineering services to develop site inspections for 40 schools
• Jackson County – $9,681,215 for debris removal
• Mexico Beach – $1,267,025 for repairs to damaged roads throughout the city
• Panama City – $1,447,235 for actions to remove the immediate threat to public health and safety, such as search and rescue operations, policed security checkpoints and traffic control
• Springfield – $10,032,799 for debris removal
• Wakulla County – $1,338,533 for repairs to the Mashes Sands Fishing Pier
• Wewahitchka – $1,147,250 for repairs to city hall and fire station

These grants are funded by FEMA’s Public Assistance program, an essential source of funding for communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency. The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) works with FEMA during all phases of the PA program and reviews projects prior to FEMA final approval.

Applicants work directly with FEMA to develop projects and scopes of work. FEMA obligates funding for projects after final approval.

Once a project is obligated by FEMA, FDEM works closely with applicants to finalize grants and begin making payments. FDEM has implemented new procedures designed to ensure grant funding is provided to local communities as quickly as possible.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides grants to state, tribal and local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship, so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies.

Original source can be found here.