(ATLANTA) – Communities located in Hurricane Michael disaster-declared counties are eligible and encouraged to apply for grants through the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The deadline for pre-application is March 1.

Following a major disaster declaration, HMGP provides grants to states and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures. GEMA/HS is responsible for the review, prioritization and funding recommendation of eligible projects to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“Georgia is receiving these funds to pump right back into these stricken communities over the next few years to make them more resilient for the next natural disaster,” said GEMA/HS Director Homer Bryson. “We encourage all local governments to apply for these grants.”

All applications start with the completion of a pre-application, which is available on the GEMA/HS website. Upon submission of the pre-application, applicants will be contacted by a member of the GEMA/HS Hazard Mitigation team with additional information, including eligibility and next steps.

For additional information and the pre-application, visit gema.georgia.gov/hazard-mitigation-grant-program. Additional questions should be directed to the Hazard Mitigation specialist assigned to the community’s area, which can be found on the attached Download this pdf file. map .