The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved $2.4 million for Newberry Electric Cooperative to restore its electrical system as part of a broader $285 million recovery funding package for five Southeast states.
The South Carolina award is part of a regional Public Assistance allocation announced Saturday by FEMA Region 4 covering Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee. The funding will allow Newberry Electric Cooperative to restore its electrical system to its predisaster design, function and capacity within the existing footprint.
The announcement is part of $1.2 billion that FEMA is releasing nationwide for more than 200 large Public Assistance projects. The agency said the funding is being delivered despite the ongoing federal lapse in appropriations, now in its 68th day and the longest in U.S. history. The lapse has significantly depleted the Disaster Relief Fund, FEMA’s primary funding source for responding to and supporting recovery from presidentially declared disasters.
The Public Assistance program reimburses state and local governments and certain nonprofit entities for costs tied to debris removal, emergency protective measures and the repair or replacement of public infrastructure damaged in declared disasters.
Other regional awards announced Saturday include $76.5 million to Alabama healthcare providers for COVID 19 mitigation costs, $14.7 million to Augusta Richmond County, Georgia for Hurricane Helene debris removal, $6.6 million to Mississippi healthcare providers for COVID 19 measures and $2.5 million to the town of Jonesborough, Tennessee for water distribution system repairs.
FEMA officials said the agency is working to address a backlog of funding requests under Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and will continue working with Region 4 states to support state led recovery efforts.
Source: FEMA Region 4
