The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced on Tuesday that it has approved three projects totaling more than $13.5 million for the state of Florida to reimburse Bay District Schools, Washington County and Springfield Baptist Church in Panama City for Hurricane Michael recovery work.
Hurricane Michael hit the Sunshine State in October 2018.
The projects are:
Bay District Schools: $2.1 million to lease 156 temporary classroom modules and 11 temporary restroom modules from Nov. 25, 2018 until April 11, 2020 to provide space for the education of students. Previously, $6 million was awarded for temporary facilities.
Springfield Baptist Church, Panama City: $3.18 million for repairs to the two-story structure. Certain nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship, are eligible for FEMA disaster funding.
Washington County: $8.29 million for costs of tracking, charging and accounting for disaster recovery projects.
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 program and reviews projects prior to FEMA’s final approval.
Applicants work directly with FEMA to develop projects and scopes of work. FEMA obligates funding for projects to FDEM after final approval.
Once a project is obligated, 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.
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