FEMA Gives Millions of Dollars in Grants to V.I. Agencies

Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (File photo)
Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (File photo)

Congresswoman Plaskett released the following statement regarding millions of dollars in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for numerous local government agencies including the V.I. Water and Power Authority (WAPA) and the V.I. Housing Authority (VIHA).

“I am very pleased to announce that FEMA is releasing the following funding to various local government agencies:

WAPA – $10 million for state management costs to include both direct and indirect administrative expenses

V.I. Housing Authority (VIHA) – $1 million for permanent repairs to the HH Bergs Homes Community Homes, Community Center and Basketball Courts on St. Thomas, needed as a direct result of Hurricane Maria

“As we all know, both Irma and Maria caused significant damage to the Virgin Islands and severely exacerbated the already deteriorating conditions within our infrastructure. These funds are to help restore our facilities and infrastructure back to pre-disaster design, function, and capacity.  I am hopeful that these grants will be utilized to help further the rebuilding and hardening of the infrastructure in our territory.”