Resources
State Centric Program
Counties and municipalities may OPT-IN to the state’s state centric program for hazard mitigation grant projects. This program, the first of its kind for FEMA HMGP allows the state to manage and pay for contract work to complete all grants awarded and assists the counties by removing the financial and management burden of completing all the work awarded under each grant. What’s more, the local government does not lose the management costs paid to the local government under the grant agreement. It only speeds the process for homeowners in need by centralizing the project management.
When the state/sub-applicant is awarded a Hazard Mitigation grant, the state will promptly begin the work required to meet the scope of work (SOW) of the grant. The state will obtain the contractors, oversee all project work, pay all invoiced work and close out the projects on our sub-applicant’s behalf. The state will work with each sub-applicant’s staff to communicate with homeowners so they are informed and have predictability when work will be completed on their homes. The state will also direct contractors to hire local as much as possible so funds are directed into the sub-applicant’s communities. The state will also still provide management costs to sub-applicants for any work their employees do assisting the HM staff working in their counties. In the end, it is a win-win for everyone because the state will use its contracting powers to complete work quickly. Since the state will be managing the contracts, sub-applicants will not need to budget money to pay contractors and wait for reimbursements. The state will do all of the project management reducing project management burdens on local governments with limited staff. Finally, the state’s efforts will negate a sub-applicant’s need to contract for consultants to do the grant’s scope of work at a potential higher cost than the management cost funds awarded under the grant.
All that is required of the sub-applicant is to request/agree to the state’s program.
If the sub-applicant selects to OPT-Out, they must also prepare correspondence to the Secretary of the Department of Public Safety, through the Executive Director of NCEM. This correspondence must be a business plan showing how the sub-applicant will manage the grant’s scope of work and identify the primary sub-applicant point of contact the HM Section will work with to complete all grant related work. Finally, the business plan must show the sub-applicant possesses the financial and staff capability to complete the awarded grant work within the 3-year period of performance.
NCEM and the HM Section are here to provide full service grant management to every sub-applicant and citizen in the State. We are poised with staff and resources to make the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program work for you in a timely manner while easing your administrative and financial burden. If you have any questions about program details, you can contact the State Hazard Mitigation Officer at 919-873-5843 or email Steve.McGugan@ncdps.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
HMGP Acquisitions: Town, City, or County Officials
A range of residential or commercial properties may be eligible for one of multiple grant programs managed by NCEM. Factors such as whether the property is developed, within a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area, and under a certain cost threshold will determine which program is the best fit. NCEM will help towns determine potential eligibility and program fit.
No local match is required for buyout grants under a disaster. Grants cover all allowable buyout costs, including any required environmental or archeology assessments, the appraisal, title search and closing document development, property purchase, demolition and debris removal, capping utilities, and final site work.
The town works with interested property owners and NCEM to complete an application. Once a grant is awarded, the town/county uses grant funds to procure an appraiser and conduct other pre-purchase tasks. After closing and the purchase of the property, the town uses grant funds to procure contractors for demolition and site work. The town tracks expenditures and provides quarterly reports to NCEM. If the town/county opts into the State Centeric Program the state handles all of these tasks and fronted expenses.
Properties acquired with a buyout grant must be maintained as public open green space once all structures have been removed or relocated. No new structures can be built on the property, but towns are free to use the space as a pocket park or to provide public river access. The local government is responsible for ongoing routine maintenance of the property such as keeping the vacant land clear of debris and garbage (FEMA HMA Guidance: Part 12. A).
Once an application is submitted, it can take anywhere from a few months to over two years for it to be processed. Tasks like the appraisal, property purchase, and demolition occur after the grant is awarded. FEMA Region 4 is responsible for the speed of the approval process.
Towns should reach out to one of the Development Team members below to learn more about the application process.
Contacts
Hazard Mitigation Leadership:
Steve McGugan, State Hazard Mitigation Officer Steve.McGugan@ncdps.gov
Steven Jackson, Deputy HM Section Chief Steven.Jackson@ncdps.gov
Gary Thompson, Deputy HM Chief, NC Geodetic Survey Chief Gary.Thompson@ncdps.gov
Development Team Contacts:
Jason Pleasant, Development Supervisor Jason.Pleasant@ncdps.gov
Kaine Riggan, BRIC/FMA Lead Kaine.Riggan@ncdps.gov
Portia Baldwin, Grants Development Specialist, Portia.Baldwin@ncdps.gov
Jennifer Lewis, Grants Development Specialist, Jennifer.Lewis@ncdps.gov