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Dear Local Municipal Leaders,
Yesterday, President Biden signed a Major Disaster Declaration for Michigan related to the tornadoes, straight-line winds, and subsequent flooding that occurred from August 24 – 26, 2023. Kent County was one of nine counties in Michigan that are covered in this federal declaration.
What does this mean?
The President specifically authorized Individual Assistance (IA) which includes assistance from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). IA includes low interest loans from the SBA or direct financial assistance from FEMA to individuals that incurred, or will incur, certain costs directly related to the damage residents experienced from these storms. For residents and businesses to meet FEMA/SBA eligibility requirements, they will have to demonstrate what costs were not adequately covered by private insurance.
Who can apply?
Anyone who resides or owns a business in Kent County (incorporating all municipalities and the City of Grand Rapids) and were impacted by August 2023 storm may apply online, by phone, or at a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC), once they are established. More information will be coming on the location of FEMA’s DRC. For more information on how to apply, visit the FEMA website specific to this disaster.
Public Assistance
Please remember that this process is separate from the Public Assistance (PA) FEMA program that provides financial support to local and state governments following a disaster. Click here for eligibility requirements for the PA program. Michigan did request federal PA but is still under review by FEMA.
In the case that Michigan does not receive PA, the State may consider providing Section 19 relief funding. Some of our local units have demonstrated costs that were above the $30,000 minimum threshold to be considered for PA funding. We submitted that information to the State in September and October.
The State does not believe federal PA will be made available, so they have begun scheduling briefings related to state Section 19 funds for select municipalities that meet the minimum threshold. Those municipalities should have already been sent an invite if they met the threshold. We are told these briefings will be held under the assumption that receiving federal public assistance is doubtful.
Please contact me with any questions you may have so we can direct you to the appropriate agency/administration for answers.
Sincerely,
Matt Groesser
Emergency Management Coordinator. Kent County
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