Vermont Emergency Management (VEM) currently has nearly $37 million in grant funding available to Vermont municipalities seeking to undertake hazard mitigation and resiliency projects, with little or no local cost share required.
There has never been a better time for Vermont communities to get funding for flood mitigation projects. This is a once-in-decades opportunity to reduce flood risk using federal money! – Ben Rose, VEM Recovery and Mitigation Section Chief
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding is opening for the major disaster declared for the COVID-19 pandemic. President Biden has authorized FEMA to provide the State of Vermont funding through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) with a contribution of $13.4 million. All projects under this round of HMGP funding will be eligible to receive a 90% federal cost share, requiring only a 10% local match (reduced from 25% local match). Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with a State application deadline on November 30, 2022 for initial proposals.
Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program to states and local communities for mitigation activities. The funding available in 2022 is $2 million for federal share set-aside for Vermont with up to $1 million available for planning activities. Funding can be used for Project Scoping to project implementation. Current round of applications due December 9, 2022.
The Flood Resilient Communities Fund (FRCF) was established by the Vermont Legislature under Act 74 with the intent of improving landscape and community resilience and reducing the future public safety and water quality impacts of flood hazards in Vermont, focusing on buyouts of flood-vulnerable properties and floodplain restoration. Available funding is $14,750,000 in fiscal year 2023. Eligible projects include municipal acquisitions of flood-prone structures and parcels, upsizing of undersized culverts, and floodplain restoration projects. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis as funding is available.
For information about these funding opportunities, contact State Hazard Mitigation Officer Stephanie Smith (Stephanie.A.Smith@vermont.gov).