Vermont Business Magazine FEMA has approved more than $6 million in post-disaster funding for Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program projects in the six states of FEMA Region 1. This includes $182,000 to the Town of Chester for costs related to the July 2023 floods. These programs empower states, local communities, tribes and territories to recover to rebuild more resilient, safer communities and protect infrastructure from future events.
The funding approved today includes nearly $3.4 million under FEMA’s Public Assistance program awarded across all six New England states.
FEMA disburses this money to states and local communities because they are best positioned to know how these funds will be most effectively spent. The funded projects include repairs to critical infrastructure, restoration of public buildings, road repairs and reimbursement for costs incurred to ensure public health and safety after a disaster.
Examples of projects reimbursed through Public Assistance funding approved today include:
- Nearly $579,000 to the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts for costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- More than $566,142 to the New Hampshire Department of Transportation for road repairs from the July 2019 floods.
- More than $347,000 to the Maine Emergency Management Agency for costs related to the March 2022 storms and flooding
- More than $273,000 to the Town of Oxford, Connecticut for guardrail and embankment repairs from the August 2024 storms and flooding.
- More than $182,000 to the Town of Chester, Vermont for costs related to the July 2023 floods.
- More than $143,000 to Kent Hospital in Warwick, Rhode Island for costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition, FEMA is awarding nearly $2.9 million for projects in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont that will prevent, eliminate or reduce future disaster-related damage. This money is being distributed through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Through this program, state, local and territory governments as well as Tribal Nations take proactive mitigation measures such as acquiring hazard-prone homes and businesses, adopting and enforcing building codes and standards, protecting against floods through elevations and drainage improvement projects, building safe rooms and upgrading utilities and infrastructure.
Examples of projects reimbursed through Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding approved today include:
- More than $480,000 to the City of South Portland, Maine for the repair of the Deake St./Willard Beach stairwell.
- More than $368,000 to Vermont Emergency Management for the buyout of a property in Burlington.
- More than $230,000 to the State of New Hampshire for management costs for the July 2023 floods.
- Nearly $153,000 to the Town of Warren, Vermont for geo-stabilization of West Hill Road.
FEMA coordinates directly with the state on all hazard mitigation projects. This aligns with FEMA’s principles of ensuring that disaster recovery and mitigation is state-led and federally supported.
These projects are the latest examples of billions of dollars in disaster recovery provided by FEMA to support state and local communities as they work to rebuild from recent natural disasters.
FEMA continues its renewed commitment to help communities recover from disasters like hurricanes, severe storms, tornadoes and wildfires while making them more resilient from future disasters. FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
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Vermont Business Magazine