Several years ago, many of us were stunned to learn how much funding would run through FEMA’s BRIC program (Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities). Traditionally, significant money only ran through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Civil Works Program. Big funds from FEMA tended to show up only after a disaster. But BRIC was going to change that: it was going to offer big funds, before a disaster, without the often painful and expensive Civil Works Program. As a result, many agencies and local governments pursued BRIC funding and were approved.
Unfortunately, the Trump Administration has now clarified that it means to completely end the BRIC program, both for current and future awards. Many agencies had received previous commitments from FEMA, but without money flowing yet, they didn’t know if they were in or out. A FEMA advisory dated April 16, 2025, provides the answer to that question. It states clearly that the 2024 BRIC funding opportunity is cancelled. It credits this cancellation to a “lack of concrete results and a majority of funding being awarded to only a few states.” It notes that if construction has started, then the project may be completed. However, if construction has not begun, all funds must be returned.
For many projects that were about to get started, this will simply delay the needed flood protection. Initiating an Army Corps process will not bring about fast protection, and very few states will have the resources to step in for these approved projects. Unfortunately, without the BRIC program providing the brick-and-mortar protection needed, many communities will be like the pig with the straw house, just waiting for the wolf to blow it down.