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Michigan Awarded $17.4 Million to Help Strengthen Communities The Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund program seeks to prevent damage from natural disasters
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 19, 2024
LANSING, MICH. The state of Michigan has been awarded $17.4 million through the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF) program, for fiscal year 2024 which will create a loan fund for the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) to help local communities obtain low interest loans for projects designed to reduce risks from natural hazards and disasters.
“As severe weather becomes more frequent and challenging for communities across Michigan, it’s more important than ever that we ensure our state has the resources needed to protect our residents, our businesses, and our critical infrastructure,” said U.S. Senator Gary Peters. “I passed legislation to create the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund Program to address serious challenges across our state, and I’m excited that Michigan is receiving the largest investment from the program to help build more resilient infrastructure and help our communities prepare for extreme weather events in the future.”
Michigan received the largest amount allocated among the 12 applicant states selected to receive a portion of the $150 million in federal funding available in 2024 through the Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF program. The program, created by U.S. Senator Gary Peters’ Safeguarding Tomorrow Through Ongoing Risk Mitigation (STORM Act), allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to work with states and tribal governments to establish low interest loan funds for disaster mitigation.
“The allocation from the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund is an essential tool to help local communities build safer, stronger, more resilient futures,” said Capt. Kevin Sweeney, deputy state director of Emergency Management and commander of the MSP/EMHSD. “We continually support local communities across the state faced with unexpected emergencies due to severe weather, tornadoes, flooding, and other natural disasters. This funding will go a long way to help Michigan communities take steps in advance to better protect home and business owners from unplanned events.”
In March 2024, the MSP/EMHSD asked communities to submit proposals to implement hazard mitigation projects. A project proposal list, generated from Michigan communities was sent to FEMA to apply. The most common proposed project types in Michigan included flood control, stormwater improvement, and erosion control/stabilization projects.
Projects designed to reduce disaster risks for homeowners, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and communities from the impact of natural hazards are eligible for this program and may include:
- Drought and prolonged episodes of intense heat.
- Severe storms, tornados, and extreme winter weather.
- Wildfires.
- Earthquakes.
- Flooding, including the construction, repair, or replacement of a non-Federal levee or other flood control structure.
- Shoreline erosion, high water levels, and storm surges.
- Zoning and land use planning changes.
- Building code enforcement.
Loan funds will be distributed to multiple projects across the state. Communities that previously submitted applications will be notified in November 2024 if their proposal is selected to apply for a portion of the available funding.
"Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and matching grants from Michigan’s Make It in Michigan Competitiveness Fund, the Michigan State Police has secured $17 million in impactful funding from FEMA. This critical investment will strengthen our infrastructure against natural hazards and protect communities from the impacts of climate change,” said Zachary Kolodin, Michigan’s chief infrastructure officer and director of the Michigan Infrastructure Office. “Michigan continues to lead the way in securing transformational funding, bringing home a remarkable $13 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, uplifted by more than $48 million in state matching funds—providing the resources needed to build a safer, more resilient Michigan for future generations."
Michigan’s award from the Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF will receive $1.7 million in matching funds made available through the Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund (MIMCF). Since the passage of the Biden-Harris administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, as well as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and CHIPS and Science Act, Michigan has actively mobilized to secure federal resources. Governor Whitmer proposed and secured $337 million for the MIMCF to help bring home more than Michigan’s fair share of federal resources to grow the economy and bring more projects home. To date, the fund has invested $50.5 million, leveraging $293 million in federal funds, a return on investment of more than 5:1. The fund supports investments in infrastructure, mobility and electrification, climate and the environment, economic development, health, and public safety.
For more information about how federal funding is being invested to improve Michigan’s infrastructure, please visit michigan.gov/whitmer/issues/michigan-infrastructure-office.
This is the second award cycle for the Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF program. In 2023, the state of Michigan was selected to receive $5.1 million in funding from the Safeguarding Tomorrow program.
For more information on how to prepare before, during and after an emergency or disaster, visit www.michigan.gov/miready or follow MSP/EMHSD on Twitter at @MichEMHS.
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The Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division is responsible for coordinating state and federal resources to assist local government in response and relief activities in the event of an emergency or disaster, as well as coordinating homeland security initiatives and various federal grants.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Lauren Thompson-Phillips, MSP/EMHSD Public Information Officer, 517-216-0103
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