The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced this week that it has approved a grant of $7,019,830 for the state of Florida to reimburse the former Bay Medical Center for repairs after Hurricane Michael in 2018.
The grant reimburses the hospital for the cost of repairs to the South Tower of Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital, including repairs to the ceiling, flooring, walls and storage cabinets. Bay Medical Center was acquired by Ascension and Sacred Heart Health System in March 2019.
This brings FEMA’s total grants for the center’s Hurricane Michael-related expenses to $39.5 million.
These grants are funded by FEMA’s Public Assistance program, an essential source of funding for communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency. The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) works with FEMA during all phases of the program and reviews projects prior to FEMA final approval.
Applicants work directly with FEMA to develop projects and scopes of work. FEMA obligates funding for projects to FDEM after final approval.
Once a project is obligated, FDEM works closely with applicants to finalize grants and begin making payments. FDEM has procedures in place designed to ensure grant funding is provided to local communities as quickly as possible.
FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides grants to state, tribal and local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship, so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies.
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