Announcements regarding hearings, grants, and public comment notices of importance to California's rural counties.

 

FEMA Announces Application Period for 2021 Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will begin accepting applications on September 30, 2021 for $1.16 billion in FY 2021 Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grants, providing localities the opportunity to receive Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) pre-disaster mitigation grants. These grants recognize the growing hazards of extreme weather events and the need for risk mitigation activities to promote climate adaptation and resilience. The financial assistance through the BRIC program may fund state and local government pre-disaster capability and capacity building activities, mitigation projects, and cover management costs.

FEMA informational webinars can be accessed here, and more information can be viewed here or at www.grants.gov. Additionally, the National Association of Counties (NACo) is offering an educational webinar on FEMA’s BRIC program on September 9, 2021, please see here. The FEMA application period closes on January 28, 2022. 

 

US Treasury: Recovery Fund Reporting Portal

Counties that receive funding from the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund are required to meet compliance and reporting responsibilities. On August 31, both the Interim Report and the Recovery Plan Performance Report are due to the U.S. Treasury Department. 

The Interim Report must be completed by all counties that have certified for Recovery Funds. Additionally, the Recovery Plan Performance Report must be completed by counties that have a population of 250,000 and above. 
 
The U.S. Treasury released a recorded presentation providing a walkthrough of the reporting portal and instructions on completing required reports. 

Watch the full recording here, or click below to jump to specific sections of the video walkthrough:

For more information, please visit NACo’s Recovery Fund Resource Hub for more information related to reporting ask NACo experts a question. 

 

Upcoming Drought Funding Opportunities Webinars

The State Water Resources Control Board and Department of Water Resources are conducting joint webinars to make counties and local governments aware of available funding for emergency drought response. The next webinar to discuss these funding opportunities will be held Tuesday, August 31, 2021.

Date: Tuesday, August 31, 2021
Time: 2 PM 
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 990 1913 0764
Passcode: 724776
More information

 

California Redistricting Commission Seeks Input at Communities of Interest Meetings

The California Citizens Redistricting Commission will be holding Communities of Interest (COI) meetings, welcoming input. You may register to secure a speaking time slot. You may also call in the same day from anywhere in California to provide input without registering. For a complete list of upcoming COI meetings, and details about how to participate, please click here.

 

Grant Opportunities Available for Innovative Resiliency Projects

The “California Resilience Challenge” provides grants up to $200,000 to help protect under-resourced communities against climate-related threats such as wildfire, drought, flood and extreme heat events. See prior project winners here. Eligible entities that many apply include local and regional jurisdictions such as counties, cities, special districts, tribes and community-based organizations. For more information, see here. Applications are due September 13, 2021.

 

Access the State Grants Portal for a Multitude of Funding Opportunities

Billions of dollars are up for grabs to public agencies and other entities, including tribes and businesses. Grant seekers can access a centralized portal of grant and loan opportunities here, or sign up to receive new grant opportunities delivered straight to your inbox.