MARQUETTE — Communities are now able to apply for low-interest loans for projects to help prevent flooding and other damages caused by natural disasters through the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund Program.
Michigan United States Senator Gary Peters, D-Michigan, secured $500 million in funding for his Safeguarding Tomorrow Through Ongoing Risk Mitigation Act. Through the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund Program, Michigan will receive $5.1 million.
During a virtual meeting on Tuesday, Peters said storms are happening more at a greater intensity and oftentimes infrastructure in Michigan is “simply not designed to handle that.”
“So we need to make these investments up front,” Peters said. “We know it saves taxpayers money and also avoids an awful lot of problems when you have a very severe flooding event that, unfortunately, we’ve seen too often in Michigan.”
43 projects have already been submitted for consideration including one from Escanaba related to storm water. Another project example was how to handle flooding and the impacts to communities.
Out of the 43 projects, eight will be receive the initial $5.1 million in the next two to three months. Peters said this is only the first year of the 10-year program, so communities will have more opportunities to apply for the loans.
To apply for a loan through the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund program or learn more, visit fema.gov/grants/mitigation/storm-rlf.