NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded Tennessee $7 million to help combat impacts of extreme weather.
The funds will go towards communities to help lessen the burden of natural hazards and address damaged infrastructure in the aftermath.
“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, which comes from the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund Program, will provide Tennessee with the ability to direct revolvinglow-interest loan funds to local governments to modify infrastructure and better prepare Midstate area.
The program can fund projects including:
- 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
FEMA also selected 11 other recipients for a combined $150 million in grants.
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