Edwards Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Increase Access to FEMA Funding for Rural Communities

WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, Rep. Chuck Edwards (NC-11) introduced the bipartisan Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Act with Congressman Shomari C. Figures (AL-02) to reinstate and reform the 2018 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program to ensure rural communities have more equitable access to hazard mitigation funding.

"Since Hurricane Helene made landfall in Western North Carolina on September 27, 2024, it has become increasingly clear to me how essential FEMA’s BRIC funds are for community infrastructure, and how unfairly they are currently distributed, especially for rural areas,” said Congressman Edwards.

“That's why I’m co-leading this bipartisan legislation to reform and strengthen the BRIC program alongside Congressman Figures. This legislation takes meaningful steps to improve the accessibility and effectiveness of BRIC funding by prioritizing fairness in distribution and enhancing support for local governments. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to move this bill forward and deliver real results for the American people.”

The BRIC program is a vital, cost-effective tool that helps communities across the country prepare for and withstand natural disasters. Unfortunately, the current distribution of BRIC funding has been uneven and inconsistent, with nearly half of all funds awarded to just three states. This legislation reforms the current disaster relief grant process by shifting from a fully competitive model to a formula-based system. Under the new approach, one-third of funds will be distributed equally among all states, one-third based on population, and the final third will prioritize states most vulnerable to natural disasters that threaten critical infrastructure.

By expanding eligibility and streamlining support, this legislation ensures that communities in Western North Carolina are better equipped to prepare for, respond to, and recover from future disasters with the federal support they need.