The Michigan State Police said at a press conference Tuesday that around $56 million in federal funding is currently on hold. The MSP warns that if that funding isn't dispersed, emergency management programs and payroll will be disrupted.
The agency says it’s waiting on the Federal Emergency Management Agency to complete manual reviews and up to $300 million dollars’ worth of grant applications are at risk.
“Those are just the ones that we literally have sitting in the hopper,” said Kevin Sweeney, deputy state director of emergency management for the MSP. "We’re not even able to do anything with it because of the hold that's on it.”
The funds are mostly for emergency management reimbursement programs, not road patrol for the MSP. The funding on hold goes to local officials to reimburse the cost of things like repair projects, and emergency preparedness.
The state police say they haven't received reimbursement funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency since February 11.
“They're not quick projects,” Sweeney said. “We're talking about replacing culverts and just so many other things and buildings.”
$52 million is earmarked for reimbursements for long-term repairs from natural disasters like the Midland flood, the Houghton flood, and severe weather incidents in southeast Michigan. $1.5 million goes to the Emergency management Preparedness Grant to help the state’s emergency department.
Another $1 million includes Homeland Security grants for counterterrorism and security. There is also a $850,000 grant to help nonprofits with “high risk of terrorist attacks by strengthening their security and preparedness,” according to Sweeney.
“Initially, we weren't sure what the holds were for. The holds just showed up in the FEMA system. There was a lack of communication. However, that communication has greatly improved,” Sweeney said.
The MSP says it has recently received word from FEMA that the grants were under review to “ensure that funding is obligated and dispersed in line with the secretary's direction, so that we can continue to support and prioritize communities and disaster survivors,” according to FEMA. It’s not clear how long those reviews will take.
"These holds on these grants have the potential to disrupt services and payroll for personnel if it continues,” Sweeney said.
State officials say they will continue to help local authorities with the federal grant application process.
“We're all hopeful that the money is going to start flowing again, but discussions are being had at the state level, and we've encouraged our local partners to do the same, to evaluate their set of circumstances and the projects that they may have in the hopper,” Sweeney added.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
