Biden Endorses $1.1 Billion Funding Boost for U.S. Virgin Islands, Enhancing Hurricane Recovery Efforts

In a transformative initiative aimed at bolstering the U.S. Virgin Islands’ recovery from the destructive impacts of hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell has announced President Joe Biden’s approval of an additional $1.1 billion in federal funding for disaster assistance within the territory. This decision represents a pivotal enhancement in the federal cost share for eligible disaster recovery efforts, now underwritten at a remarkable 95 percent rate. For projects facilitated under Section 428 Alternative Procedures, the federal cost share has been further increased to 98 percent for a certain period, underscoring the administration’s commitment to the repair and renewal of critical infrastructure and services across the islands.

Prior to this landmark decision, the U.S. Virgin Islands faced the daunting prospect of funding 10 percent of the federally-supported recovery projects, a sum that could have escalated to $1.5 billion against an estimated total of $15 billion in federal funds. Governor Albert Bryan has openly addressed these concerns, highlighting the financial hurdles that threatened the completion of crucial recovery initiatives.

Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett has expressed profound gratitude towards the Biden administration for this significant financial relief, which reduces the cost sharing to as low as 2 percent for key rebuilding projects over the next six months, with a completion window extending over two years, and 5 percent for other projects. This revised financial strategy is poised to empower the Virgin Islands with enhanced federal assistance, thereby facilitating the territory’s comprehensive and timely recovery from hurricane damage.

The adjustment follows productive discussions between Plaskett and Criswell, focusing on the Insular Areas Act’s provisions for federal cost share waivers, the Bryan administration’s analysis of the per capita impact of recent disasters on the Virgin Islands, and persistent advocacy from both Plaskett and Bryan’s office. Their collective efforts have culminated in this favorable amendment to the FEMA disaster declaration, significantly benefitting the Virgin Islands.

By alleviating the financial burden on the territory through increased federal funding proportions, the path to restoring the Virgin Islands’ infrastructure with federal resources post-hurricanes Irma and Maria is now more viable than ever.

This enhancement in federal support, as articulated by Administrator Criswell, aligns with ongoing efforts by President Biden and FEMA to aid the U.S. Virgin Islands in its recovery journey, reinforcing the territory’s resilience against future natural disasters. The initiative resonates with the principles of the Insular Area Act, acknowledging the unique challenges faced by the territory and promoting flexible rebuilding strategies.

Moreover, this increase in federal funding is poised to accelerate the territory’s recovery efforts, enabling the effective allocation of existing Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds towards resilient housing, economic revitalization, and other critical projects aimed at securing a prosperous future for the U.S. Virgin Islands. With President Biden’s authorization, the additional $1.1 billion in funding is a testament to the federal government’s commitment to facilitating a swift, sustainable recovery across the territory.Biden Endorses $1.1 Billion Funding Boost for U.S. Virgin Islands, Enhancing Hurricane Recovery Efforts