FEMA recently approved nearly $28 million in funding for recovery projects in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The funding will support recovery for Hurricane Maria, one of the deadliest hurricanes of 2017. It is estimated that the hurricane caused damage of USD $90 billion in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
This regional funding is part of a broader effort announced by the Department of Homeland Security and was approved prior to the lapse in federal funding. Some of the projects which received funding in the U.S. Virgin Islands include:
- $14.2 million to the V.I. Economic Development Authority/St. Croix for hazard mitigation and permanent warehouse repairs.
- $7 million to Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital/St. Croix for emergency protective measures, including leasing and developing a temporary outpatient facility to ensure continued dialysis services.
- $3 million to the V.I. Department of Public Works/St. Croix for temporary facilities at Anna’s Hope Compound following Hurricane Maria, with multiple project versions covering mold remediation, office space rental, renovation, and ultimately demolition and replacement of the maintenance building to support continuity of public services.
- $1.4 million to the V.I. Department of Human Services/St. Thomas for emergency protective measures, including temporary leases, buildouts, and IT setup at multiple locations to ensure continuity of services following Hurricane Maria.
- $1.3 million to the Judiciary of the Virgin Islands/St. Croix for permanent repairs to three buildings, contents, and a vehicle, including demolition, replacement, and restoration work to meet code requirements.
This is an ongoing process, and FEMA will continue to review additional funds. The organization will release funds on a rolling basis.
