GOHSEP Accepting Project Proposals to Build Resiliency in Louisiana
BATON ROUGE (March 14, 2023) – The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) is initiating a program to help reduce the impacts of natural disasters. In response to the Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation (STORM) Act and the enabling legislation passed by Louisiana, Act No. 524 of the 2022 Regular Session, GOHSEP is launching its inaugural state resilience revolving loan program and encourages local jurisdictions to submit project applications now through April 21, 2023 for potential funding.
“Finding ways to become more resilient is always a key goal for GOHSEP and our local partners,” said GOHSEP Director Casey Tingle. “The STORM Act allows us to assist with funding for projects local leaders have identified as key to reduce losses after a natural disaster. This type of planning not only reduces risks to people and property, but it also saves taxpayers money following flooding, a hurricane or other natural disaster.”
This first year of the Louisiana STORM will reflect a small-scale program. The STORM Act, which became law on January 1, 2021, authorized FEMA to provide capitalization grants to states, eligible federally recognized tribes, territories and the District of Columbia to establish revolving loan funds that provide hazard mitigation assistance through low interest loans to local governments to mitigate impacts from natural hazards.
These low interest loans (no more than 1%) will allow local governments to reduce vulnerability to natural disasters, foster greater community resilience and reduce disaster suffering. Loans are fully amortized not later than 20 years after the date the project is completed, or 30 years for projects in a low-income geographic area. Loan funding may be used in conjunction with other federal grants to develop stronger community-based projects and can be used to satisfy the non-federal cost share requirement for other hazard mitigation assistance (HMA) grants.
Each local government project proposal submitted to GOHSEP must not exceed $5,000,000.
GOHSEP will prioritize loan applications in accordance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Notice of Funding Opportunity programmatic and financial evaluation criteria, including considerations for projects that address underserved communities and promote equity.
GOHSEP is accepting project proposal lists now through April 21, 2023 at 12:00 (noon) CT using the STORM Project Proposal Survey link provided here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W8DYZPJ
Please complete one survey for each project proposal you wish to submit for consideration. Project proposals will not be accepted after April 21, 2023.
For additional STORM information please visit:
https://gohsepgrants.la.gov/site/resources-new.cfm
For assistance in accessing and/or submitting the survey, or for any other questions, please contact GOHSEP via email at [email protected].
Find more tips on weather and preparedness on GOHSEP’s Facebook and Twitter accounts. The Get A Game Plan App is another resource available to help you and your family prepare for any type emergency. You can download the Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide and find other information at www.getagameplan.org.
Click here to view the full press release.
