Michigan Restores Federal Disaster Mitigation Funding After Court Victory

Michigan Opens Federal Disaster Mitigation Grant Program After Court Victory

Michigan communities can now apply for federal disaster mitigation funding after the state announced the reopening of a grant program that was restored through court action.

The Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division announced Monday that it is seeking project proposals for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant program for fiscal year 2025.

The BRIC program provides federal funding to support hazard mitigation projects designed to reduce or eliminate future property damage and loss of life from natural hazards, including floods, tornadoes and severe storms.

The program prioritizes infrastructure and construction projects that deliver measurable risk reduction and strengthen community resilience.

BRIC funding provides communities the opportunity to take proactive steps to reduce risk before disaster strikes

said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the Michigan State Police and state director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.

By investing in infrastructure and mitigation now, we help protect lives, safeguard critical services and ensure Michigan communities grow stronger and more resilient for the future.

The announcement follows a recent federal court order requiring the restoration of the BRIC program.

In December 2025, a federal court ruled that the termination of the congressionally mandated program was unlawful.

On March 6, 2026, the court granted further relief, ordering FEMA to take steps to reverse the termination and make funding available as required by law.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined a coalition of states in securing the court order to restore the program.

Every dollar FEMA spends on mitigation saves $6 in post-disaster costs

said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.

By securing these court orders, we've cleared the way for critical BRIC funding to flow back into our state, allowing the Michigan State Police to resume the work of fortifying our communities against natural disasters.

I look forward to seeing the life-saving impact of this next round of proposals.

Over the past several years, FEMA has selected nearly 2,000 projects nationwide totaling approximately $4.5 billion in BRIC funding.

In Michigan, 22 projects have been selected in recent years, totaling more than $19 million in federal funding.

For fiscal year 2025, BRIC funding includes three categories:

• Hazard Mitigation Projects — Nationally competitive funding for cost-effective infrastructure and construction projects designed to increase resilience and public safety and reduce damage to property and critical facilities. Only projects with at least a conceptual design are eligible. Phased projects are not eligible.
• Building Code Plus-Up — Funding to support the adoption and enforcement of current hazard-resistant building codes, including evaluation, adoption and workforce development activities related to building codes.
• State Allocation Funding — Funding available to each state for smaller-scale hazard mitigation projects and project scoping for future infrastructure mitigation efforts.

Most grants are funded with a 75% federal share and a 25% non-federal match.

The MSP/EMHSD serves as the applicant for the State of Michigan.

Eligible subapplicants include state agencies, federally recognized tribal governments and local governments.

The Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division coordinates emergency preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation activities across the state and works closely with local, tribal, state and federal partners to help protect Michigan residents and communities.

For more information on how to prepare before, during and after an emergency or disaster, visit MIREADY and follow MSP/EMHSD on X and Facebook.

How Michigan Communities Can Apply

Michigan municipalities interested in applying for BRIC funding must submit proposals through the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division.

Local governments can pursue projects in any of the three funding categories, with each category targeting different types of mitigation efforts.

The Hazard Mitigation Projects category accepts proposals for infrastructure and construction projects that reduce risk from natural hazards. Applicants must submit projects with at least a conceptual design, as phased projects without completed designs are not eligible.

The Building Code Plus-Up category supports efforts to adopt and enforce hazard-resistant building codes. This includes evaluation activities, adoption processes and workforce development training related to building code implementation.

The State Allocation Funding category provides Michigan with funding for smaller-scale hazard mitigation projects and project scoping for future infrastructure mitigation efforts.

Applications are being accepted for fiscal year 2025, with the Michigan State Police serving as the state-level applicant on behalf of all eligible subapplicants across the state.

Why This Funding Matters

The restoration of BRIC funding represents a critical win for Michigan disaster preparedness and community resilience.

During the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, the BRIC program was terminated, cutting off a major source of support for flood mitigation projects and other disaster preparedness efforts across the state.

The court order restoring the program ensures that Michigan can continue fortifying communities against natural disasters with federal funding that has proven effective nationwide.

The 75% federal share with 25% non-federal match structure makes the program accessible to Michigan municipalities, tribal governments and state agencies that may lack the full funding capacity to undertake large-scale mitigation projects on their own.

With nearly $19 million already invested in Michigan through BRIC funding over the past several years, the program has a track record of supporting real projects that protect Michigan communities.

The next round of proposals for fiscal year 2025 offers new opportunities for Michigan communities to strengthen their resilience against floods, tornadoes, severe storms and other natural hazards that threaten property and public safety.