Governor Phil Murphy has announced that New Jersey has been awarded $15 million by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to enhance climate change preparedness and provide immediate relief to homeowners following storms. The state will contribute a 10% match, approximately $1.5 million, as part of this award.
The funding comes from FEMA’s Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program, which offers low-interest loans to local governments in need, particularly in low-income and underserved communities. These funds are intended for hazard mitigation and resilience infrastructure projects.
“This award is essential to ensuring that our local communities have the tools they need to get ahead of the next disaster,” said Governor Murphy. “As our state experiences the growing intensity of storms and sea-level rise due to climate change, this program will allow us to increase available resources so we can provide prompt assistance to New Jerseyans. I’m grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration and New Jersey's congressional delegation for fully funding the STORM Act as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”
The Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation (STORM) Act created the STORM Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) to offer revolving loan funds to states, eligible federally recognized tribes, territories, and Washington D.C., for financing projects that mitigate risks from natural hazards and disasters.
FEMA’s Region 2 Administrator David Warrington emphasized the importance of addressing climate change impacts during Climate Week: “Increased severe weather activity not just threatens an increase in costs-- it threatens lives. At FEMA, we take climate change seriously and understand that funding opportunities of this type are critical to building resilience against the damaging effects that can occur throughout the region.”
Robert Briant Jr., Chairperson of the I-Bank, highlighted how federal and state officials prioritize climate mitigation infrastructure: “Working with FEMA, New Jersey now has one more tool to help these communities protect their residents and assets before the next disaster strikes.”
Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police and State Director of Emergency Management noted: “This is a significant award for the state and provides an additional path to assist local governments and underserved communities. As New Jersey continues to experience stronger storms, this resource allows us to offer yet another method to carry out mitigation projects and make our state even more resilient.”
This year marks New Jersey's second round of STORM Act funding, making it one of the highest cumulative recipients nationwide. The partnership between New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (I-Bank) and the New Jersey State Office of Emergency Management within the Division of State Police was instrumental in securing these funds through the New Jersey Community Hazard Assistance Mitigation Program (NJ CHAMP).
For further information on this initiative, contact I-Bank at information@njib.gov.
