WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced the termination of its Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, a grant initiative designed to enhance disaster preparedness across states, tribes, territories, and local communities. Effective immediately, all BRIC applications from fiscal years 2020 through 2023 will be canceled, and any undistributed funds will be returned to either the Disaster Relief Fund or the U.S. Treasury.
“The BRIC program was yet another example of a wasteful and ineffective FEMA program,” a FEMA spokesperson stated. “It was more concerned with political agendas than helping Americans affected by natural disasters. Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, we are committed to ensuring that Americans in crisis can get the help and resources they need.”
Financial Impacts
The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allocated $1 billion to BRIC over five years, of which approximately $133 million had been distributed to fund around 450 applications. This leaves more than $882 million in unallocated funds, which FEMA says will either be redirected to the U.S. Treasury or reapportioned by Congress in the coming fiscal year.
FEMA also estimates that $3.6 billion will remain in the Disaster Relief Fund, ensuring sufficient resources for ongoing disaster response and recovery efforts nationwide.
Rationale for Termination
FEMA’s decision to end the program is part of a broader effort to align disaster preparedness and response initiatives with Presidentially issued executive orders and the priorities outlined by Secretary Noem. The agency expressed a commitment to better serving local communities by focusing on programs and strategies that directly address immediate disaster-related needs. Ending BRIC, FEMA suggests, will streamline funding to support disaster planning, response, and recovery more efficiently.
Broader Implications
The decision marks a significant shift in FEMA’s approach to disaster resilience and raises questions about the future of federal infrastructure support for vulnerable communities. Critics may view the program’s termination as a setback for long-term disaster preparedness, while proponents argue it redirects funds to more impactful, immediate disaster response initiatives.
With funding totaling hundreds of millions being reassigned, Congress and other stakeholders will have a critical role in determining how these resources will best support disaster management moving forward. FEMA’s priorities, under new leadership, reflect an emphasis on addressing immediate needs over long-term strategic planning for infrastructure resilience.
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