The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has abruptly canceled the federal Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, halting hundreds of millions of dollars in disaster mitigation funding for state and local governments. The decision derails major projects across the country — including several in Maryland — and leaves counties with fewer tools to manage rising climate risks.
Understanding BRIC
Congress established the BRIC program in 2018 to create a reliable funding stream for state and local disaster mitigation projects.
Launched in 2020 as a replacement for FEMA’s Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) program, BRIC has since awarded more than $5 billion for initiatives aimed at reducing the human and economic toll of floods, wildfires, and other large-scale hazards.
The program prioritized forward-looking strategies — including stormwater upgrades, structural reinforcements, and other measures designed to prevent damage and protect communities before disasters strike.
FEMA Ends BRIC Program
This month, FEMA announced it would eliminate the BRIC program and return all unspent funds to the federal treasury. The agency cited scoring problems and internal concerns about the program’s direction.
The cancellation applies to all applications from fiscal 2020 through 2023, including several from Maryland jurisdictions. FEMA has also canceled the fiscal year 2024 notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), which was to allocate $750 million in grants.
This decision hits just as counties prepare for the summer flood and storm season, and after many invested time and resources into projects under the assumption of federal support.
Impact on Maryland Counties
Maryland counties stood to receive tens of millions of dollars in BRIC funding. Several jurisdictions had already secured early-round awards and moved forward with planning for long-term resilience projects. FEMA’s decision cuts off that momentum, forcing local leaders to reevaluate timelines, funding strategies, and risk mitigation plans.
FEMA’s decision places a greater burden on county governments, many of which already face difficult tradeoffs in balancing infrastructure needs and budget constraints.
Exploring Alternative Funding: Resilient Maryland Revolving Loan Fund
In response to the BRIC program’s termination, counties may consider the Resilient Maryland Revolving Loan Fund (RMRLF) as an alternative financing option.
Administered by the Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM), the RMRLF offers low-interest loans (ranging from 0% to 1%) to local governments for hazard mitigation projects. While not a direct replacement for BRIC grants, the RMRLF can provide essential support for resilience efforts.
Looking Ahead
The cancellation of the BRIC program highlights the need for reliable and consistent federal investment in disaster preparedness. Counties cannot build long-term resilience without predictable funding and a committed federal partner.
MACo remains focused on supporting counties as they navigate this setback. Through ongoing collaboration with MDEM and federal agencies, MACo is working to identify alternative funding sources and potential successor programs. While no direct replacement exists today, options like Maryland’s RMRLF may offer short-term relief; however, these tools fall short of the scale and structure that BRIC provided.
Counties will continue to invest in hazard mitigation, strengthen infrastructure, and protect residents, but they need federal partners who share that commitment. MACo will advocate for sustainable funding strategies that support local priorities and ensure communities are better prepared for the challenges ahead.
Stay tuned to Conduit Street for more information.
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