LANSING — The state of Michigan has been awarded $17.4 million through the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund program, for fiscal year 2024 which will create a loan fund for the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division 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 Peters’ Safeguarding Tomorrow Through Ongoing Risk Mitigation (STORM Act), allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency 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.

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. Michigan has actively mobilized to secure federal resources. Gov. Gretchen 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.

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.