The Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency has scheduled applicant briefings territory-wide for local government agencies and certain non-profit organizations that may qualify for federal aid as a result damages caused by Hurricane Earl. The briefing will be held between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the following location and date:
· Tuesday, Oct. 12, the Bennie and Martha Benjamin Conference Center at the Juan F. Luis Hospital on St. Croix.
Those attending the briefings should be a designated departmental or agency representative familiar with their respective site damages as well as overtime costs. Interested applicants can begin the process by completing the Request for Public Assistance application form, which can be downloaded at www.vitema.gov. Click “Learn More” in the Hurricane Earl Response and Recovery box to retrieve the application.
President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for the Virgin Islands on Sept. 28, triggering the availability of federal funds to supplement the recovery from the effects of Hurricane Earl, which impacted the territory Aug. 29 – 31. Federal aid is available to the local government and certain non-profit organizations for emergency work and for the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities territory-wide.
The declaration also allows the local government and certain non-profit organizations to apply to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which funds projects that prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards.
For additional information, contact Territorial Public Assistance Officer Jonetta Darden at 774-2244.