(ATLANTA) - The Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) announced today that local governments are eligible to apply for funding through the Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) competitive grant program for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides funds through these programs on a nationally competitive basis to implement hazard mitigation measures that reduce losses of life and property damage caused by natural disasters. 

“Our goal is to help local governments secure federal hazard mitigation assistance funds that will help protect our citizens from future disaster events,” said GEMA Director Charley English. “We encourage local governments to review their local mitigation plans and determine their most important mitigation needs to take advantage of this federal funding opportunity. Implementing these local mitigation projects will ultimately make for a safer Georgia.” 

Local governments must have a FEMA approved hazard mitigation plan in order to be eligible to receive a project grant.  Pre-applications are required by September 28, 2009, for all proposed project grants. GEMA has posted additional information on the grant application process at http://www.gema.ga.gov/

For further questions, please contact GEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Division at 1-800-TRY-GEMA or 404-635-7522.