9/20/24
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee has been awarded $7 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help communities reduce vulnerability to natural hazards and build a more resilient state.
“Extreme weather events are going to occur and damage infrastructure. A barrier to implementing hazard mitigation projects, which are pivotal to building safer communities and a more resilient state, is the cost of capital,” said TEMA Director Patrick C. Sheehan. “I’m proud of the work done to secure this funding and look forward to providing local governments with the opportunity to secure loans and increase their access to these grant programs.”
The funding, provided through the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund Program, will equip the state with the ability to administer revolving low-interest loan funds to local governments to adapt infrastructure and better prepare communities.
Types of projects that can be funded through this program include, but are not limited to:
• Flood and stormwater projects;
• Relocating structures outside of flood-prone areas;
• Retrofitting structures to help reduce earthquake vulnerabilities;
• Creating safe spaces for help reduce tornado and severe weather vulnerabilities;
• Infrastructure and utility protective measures;
• Backup generators for critical facilities and infrastructure.
Along with Tennessee, FEMA selected 11 other recipients for a combined $150 million in grants. The selections are intended strengthen the nation’s resilience through mitigation with an emphasis on low-income and underserved communities that are often most vulnerable.
About the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency: TEMA’s mission is to coordinate preparedness, response and recovery from man-made, natural and technological hazards in a professional and efficient manner in concert with our stakeholders. Follow TEMA on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and at tn.gov/tema.
