Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grant Program
The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program is an annual FEMA funding program for hazard mitigation. BRIC will support states, local communities, and territories, as they undertake hazard mitigation projects to reduce the risk from natural hazards.
Program Details:
- State application deadline: Friday, January 12, 2024.
- Eligible Applicants: State agencies, Regional Planning Commissions and municipalities. Municipalities must have an approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan at the time of application submittal and application award.
- Funding Available (in FY23): $2 million (federal share) set-aside for Vermont. Nationally competitive mitigation projects can also be submitted over that amount.
- Eligible Projects:
- Project Scoping: this funding can be used for a specific structure, like a bridge or culvert, or for a larger area, i.e. a part of your community with flood vulnerability. Scoping projects typically include an analysis of alternatives as well as designs, budget, scope, and Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) for the preferred alternative.
- Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) Development/Updates: each year under this program, VEM submits one application for all interested towns to update their LHMPs or develop new LHMPs. If you are interested in being included in this application, please email dps.hazardmitigation@vermont.gov. In addition to LHMPs, you can apply for other planning activities related to mitigation risk in your communities/regions.
- Construction Projects: e.g., home buyouts, floodplain restoration, culvert upsizing projects.
- Management Costs: 5% of total project costs will be available to sub-applicants for managing the grant award. This portion is 100% federal funded.
- Cost Share: 75% federal, 25% local non-federal (cash and/or in-kind); 90% federal share is available for Economically Disadvantaged Rural Communities (EDRCs) and Community Disaster Resilience Zones (CDRZs). If you have questions on whether your community would qualify for 90% cost share, please reach out.
For more information see the Fact Sheet, the more detailed Notice of Funding Opportunity, or visit the BRIC Resources Page. Additional BRIC resources:
If you have questions or you would like to discuss a project idea, reach out to DPS.HazardMitigation@vermont.gov.
Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)
The Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant program funds states, local communities, and territories to reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings and structures insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Program Details:
- State application deadline: Friday, January 12, 2024.
- Cost Share: Matching of 25% of the total project is required. FEMA may contribute up to 100% federal cost share for severe repetitive loss (SRL) properties and up to 90% federal cost share for repetitive loss (RL) properties.
For more information see the Fact Sheet, the more detailed Notice of Funding Opportunity.
Information for Subgrantees with Approved Projects
If your agency, municipality, RPC or private non-profit has received an award under any of the Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant programs, please consider the following information.
- Quarterly Reports are due January 15th, April 15th, July 15th and October 15th. Failure to submit quarterly reports may result in delayed or halted reimbursement.
- Upon project completion, and after all final reimbursement requests have been submitted, please contact dps.hazardmitigation@vermont.gov to request a closeout visit.
- Should your project require unanticipated cost overruns (potentially available, but only under HMGP) and/or scope of work alterations please contact dps.hazardmitigation@vermont.gov and fill out a Grant Modification Request Form.
Eligible Applicants and/or Subapplicants
- State
- Local governments
- Other quasigovernmental organizations such as Regional Planning Commissions (RPC) or Conservation Districts
Individual homeowners and businesses may not apply directly to the program; however an eligible Applicant or Subapplicant may apply on their behalf.
To better understand how applications are reviewed by the State Hazard Mitigation Project Review Committee, please see the HMA Project Review Form.
If you have any questions regarding BRIC or FMA please contact DPS.HazardMitigation@vermont.gov.