FEMA announced the approval of nearly $82 million in funds for projects and assistance programs under its Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation grant programs in Puerto Rico. The approved funds include more than $75.6 million from FEMA’s Public Assistance program. Examples of Public Assistance projects include nearly $30 million for the Puerto Rico Public Housing Administration for permanent repairs and restoration at the Juan Jiménez García, Turabo Heights, Jardines de San Carlos, Carolina Walk-Up (El Faro), Rosendo Matienzo Cintrón, Los Lirios, Los Murales, Raúl Castellón, Jardines de Ceiba and Beatriz Lasalle public housing complexes after Hurricane María.
Nearly $9.7 million goes to the town of Barranquitas to repair roads PR-720, PR-156, PR-770, PR-772 and PR-771 after damage from Tropical Storm Ernesto. Nearly $6.6 million goes to the town of Loíza for permanent repairs to the Paseo del Atlántico recreation center after Hurricane María. More than $6.2 million goes to the Puerto Rico Solid Waste Authority to repair the Arecibo composting plant and the ADS building in Guayanilla after Hurricane María.
FEMA also awarded more than $6.2 million for projects in Puerto Rico that prevent, eliminate or reduce future disaster-related damage. Of that, more than $4.7 million goes to Hospital Auxilio Mutuo for a battery energy storage power system and a microgrid controller to provide backup power. More than $782,000 goes to the town of Humacao for a flood control and coastal stabilization project in the Punta Santiago community, and nearly $475,000 to Humacao for a flood control and riverbank stabilization project in its riverfront area.