The cancellation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program has prompted local governments across the U.S. to re-evaluate infrastructure projects designed to reduce disaster risk and improve climate resilience.
Mount Pleasant’s Revitalization Plans Stalled
In Mount Pleasant, North Carolina, a $4 million federal grant was expected to help fund improvements to the town’s stormwater drainage and electrical infrastructure. These upgrades were part of a broader revitalization strategy that included investments in downtown development, such as the restoration of a historic theater.
Funding was anticipated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, which supports projects that help reduce risk from natural disasters and build long-term community resilience.
However, the recent elimination of BRIC halted the distribution of those funds.
“This is a generational set of infrastructure projects that would set us up for the next hundred years and it just — poof — went away,” said Erin Burris, assistant town manager of Mount Pleasant, located about 25 miles east of Charlotte.
Impact Reaches Nationwide
Mount Pleasant is one of many towns and cities affected by the program’s termination. FEMA’s decision rescinded approximately $3.6 billion in funding that had been allocated or expected by communities across the country.
The BRIC program was created in 2020 to help communities strengthen infrastructure and reduce the long-term risks and costs associated with natural disasters. Local governments, particularly in smaller or rural areas, used BRIC funding to support stormwater systems, energy grid improvements, and flood mitigation efforts, among other initiatives.
Federal Policy and Local Response
While FEMA has not issued a detailed public statement about the decision, the change aligns with recent public comments from President Donald Trump, who has questioned FEMA’s role and, at times, suggested reducing or eliminating the agency’s scope. The BRIC program itself was initially launched during his first term.
Local officials have said the timing of the change caught them off guard, particularly in communities where projects had advanced to planning or pre-construction phases.
Looking Ahead
As communities adjust their plans, many are exploring alternative funding sources or delaying projects indefinitely. The long-term impact of the BRIC program’s termination remains to be seen, particularly in areas with limited access to state or local infrastructure budgets.
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