VDEM Announces Application Period for FY24 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Grants

FEMA has announced the release of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) which includes a total of $1.35B in funding for these nationally competitive programs. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) is currently accepting pre-applications and applications for these funding cycles.

VDEM Application Open Date: January 6, 2025

VDEM Application Close Date: March 6, 2025

BRIC and FMA Overview

For the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program, FEMA advertises these funds for cost-effective capability-and capacity-building projects that “enhance the knowledge, skills, and expertise of the current workforce to expand or improve the administration of mitigation assistance.” Sub-categories include projects designed around building codes, partnerships, project scoping, and hazard mitigation planning. Through BRIC, FEMA continues to invest in a variety of mitigation activities with an added focus on infrastructure projects benefitting disadvantaged communities, nature-based solutions, climate resilience and adaption and adopting hazard resistant building codes.

The Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant program provides funds for projects reducing or eliminating the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Project types can include cost-effective capability and capacity building activities, localized flood risk reduction projects, individual flood mitigation projects, technical assistance to communities, project scoping, and mitigation plans.

Project Priorities and Requirements

For the BRIC program:

• Project is cost-effective.
• Project is designed to increase resilience and reduce risk of injuries, loss of life, and damage and destruction of property.
• Project aligns with the applicable Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP).
• Project meets all criteria found in the 2023 Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program and Policy Guide (HMA Guide).
• Project meets all applicable federal, state, tribal, and local floodplain and land use laws defined in the HMA Guide.
• Project meets all environmental and historic preservation (EHP) requirements.

For the FMA program:

• Project is cost effective.
• Project is located within a participating NFIP Community in good standing.
• Project meets applicable NFIP flood insurance policy requirements.
• Project aligns with the applicable hazard mitigation plan.
• Project meets all environmental and historic preservation (EHP) requirements.

Who Can Apply?

• Local governmental entities, which includes cities, towns, and counties, special district governments, and federally recognized tribal governments.
• Applicants must have a FEMA-approved local or tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) in accordance with Title 44 Code of Federal Regulations Part 201 by the application deadline and at the time of grant fund obligation. The only exemptions are for projects aimed at hazard mitigation planning and planning-related activities, partnerships, and building codes. Federally recognized tribal governments are also exempt.

For the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program, subapplicants must be participating in the NFIP, and not be withdrawn or suspended. Participation status can be verified in the Community Status Book online.

Application Submission

All project applications, and supporting documentation, must be submitted through the VDEM EM Grants. If you do not have a VDEM EM Grants account, please register for an account here and indicate the reason as BRIC or FMA application, and the program category as Hazard Mitigation Assistance. VDEM staff will review and approve your account request, at which point you can begin the pre-application and application process.

For more information on the application process and eligibility criteria, contact your locality’s VDEM regional hazard mitigation grant administrator listed below:

Region 1 (Richmond): Madison L’Heureux, [email protected]

Region 2 (Culpeper): Jessica Scott, [email protected]

Region 3 (Lynchburg): Madison L’Heureux, [email protected]

Region 4 (Bristol): Jessica Scott, [email protected]

Region 5 (Tidewater): Please see below:

Eastern Shore, Lauren Tanner, [email protected]

Northern Neck Madison, L’Heureux, [email protected]

Middle Peninsula, Jennifer Peterson, [email protected]

Hampton Roads, Jessica Scott, [email protected]

Southside, Jennifer Peterson, [email protected]

Region 6 (Roanoke): Lauren Tanner, [email protected]

Region 7 (Northern Virginia): Jennifer Peterson, [email protected]

VDEM works with local government, state and federal agencies and voluntary organizations to provide resources and expertise through the five mission areas of emergency management; prevention, protection, mitigation, response and recovery. To learn more about ways VDEM is working to improve disaster preparedness, response and recovery, visit www.vaemergency.gov.