More than 650 project selected for climate resiliency grants

More than 650 projects across the country were selected to receive $1 billion in climate resilience funding, officials announced Tuesday.

President Joe Biden, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said the 656 projects will receive money through the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program. The funding will help address current and future risks from natural disasters, including wildfires, drought, extreme heat and flooding.

“Every American community faces risks from extreme weather, and the DHS workforce and our partners across the Administration will always be there for communities in their time of need,” Mayorkas said. “Investing in preparedness and resilience today can help keep our country safe tomorrow. Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program grants are a lifeline for communities across the country, funding projects big and small — from major flood mitigation projects to shaded bus shelters. The impact of these projects will ultimately be measured in lives saved and disasters averted.”

The funding will provide $385 million in flood control across 28 projects, $237 million for utility and infrastructure protection across 30 projects, and $55 million for building code-related enhancements across 129 projects. The awards represent the largest number of projects FEMA has ever selected for building code-related activities in a grant cycle.

“We’ve already seen an unprecedented level of extreme weather events this season, and with more expected on the way, we’re encouraged to see increased interest in communities applying for FEMA’s BRIC program,” Criswell said. “Thanks to extra funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, FEMA is now better situated to help communities, especially those that are disadvantaged and disproportionately impacted by climate change, invest in resilience. FEMA will remain focused on getting these critical infrastructure dollars to the communities that need it the most.”