Natural disasters like hurricanes can cause large-scale destruction to homes, businesses, and infrastructure in a city or municipality. Cities can help alleviate storm damage by implementing proactive hazard mitigation solutions, such as strengthening infrastructure and creating response plans that quickly mobilize natural disaster assistance crews.
Storm response programs can be effective for communities, but significant funds are required to develop these proactive solutions. While FEMA traditionally awarded disaster relief money after a named storm hits an area, the federal agency started the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program in 2020 to help fund proactive flood mitigation projects.
The BRIC grant is part of FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance program which helps communities protect against losses from natural disasters before they happen. The program funds projects that include disaster mitigation, such as nature-based projects, climate resilience projects, and projects that adopt hazard-resistant building codes, with an additional focus on projects that benefit disadvantaged communities. Funding from BRIC grants isn’t limited to large-scale projects and can also be used for flood mitigation studies.
In 2023, FEMA made $1 billion available for the BRIC program. The agency announced that 56 projects in 22 states received $674.5 million from the BRIC program, including localities Davey assisted with grant writing. The 2024 grant cycle for the BRIC program is expected to start in the fall.
While BRIC grants can provide important funds to help create more weather-resilient cities, other funding opportunities are available, such as IRA grants, FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance Program, National Coastal Resilience Fund, and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding.
Get The Most Out Of Your Funding Opportunities
Grant applications can be challenging to complete. Cities interested in receiving funding must be familiar with the preparation and process required to complete an effective application. Davey Resource Group (DRG) has a broad understanding of federal funding available for resiliency projects and can help identify which funding source works best for your community.
DRG can help complete grant applications, including planning, regulatory support, and reporting, and provide nature-based solutions and regulatory solutions that will help meet your flood mitigation goals. Contact an expert to learn more about DRG’s grant assistance services
Article Contributors:
Bob Kerr, Director, Hampton Roads Division, WSSI
Christian Preziosi, Regional Operations Manager, Davey Resource Group Wilmington North Carolina
