[Title: Virgin Islands Seeks Waiver for Local Match in Disaster Recovery Funding Worries]
As the Virgin Islands continues its efforts to recover from past disasters, concerns are mounting over the availability of funding. The Disaster Recovery Office Director, Adrienne Williams-Octalien, expressed her ongoing worry about obtaining the necessary local matching funds for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) public assistance programs.
During a recent meeting between Governor Albert Bryan Jr. and U.S. Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young, a request was made to waive the 10 percent match requirement for critical facilities in the territory. However, Committee Chair Sen. Milton Potter revealed that officials held reservations about securing the waiver and suggested exploring alternative solutions. Williams-Octalien concurred with Potter’s assessment, noting that the U.S. Congress was dealing with its own budgetary challenges.
The timing of the request seemed to be an obstacle, according to Williams-Octalien. She explained that discussions regarding the Virgin Islands’ exemption from local funding coincided with broader conversations about finding resources to address various disasters. However, there may still be hope as Williams-Octalien revealed that FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell expressed a willingness to revisit the matter and acknowledged that FEMA is currently reviewing the proposal made by the Virgin Islands.
In her testimony to lawmakers, Williams-Octalien shared that the Disaster Recovery Office had increased its anticipated allocations from $8 billion to $12 billion, potentially surpassing $15 billion within the next few years. Nevertheless, challenges remain as $8.5 billion in funds have already been obligated to disaster recovery projects, leaving around 62 out of approximately 1,500 FEMA public assistance projects still requiring allocation. Notably, 47 of these projects involve fixed grants for education, healthcare, and infrastructural facilities.
As the Virgin Islands strives to recover and rebuild, securing the necessary funds remains a critical concern. The ongoing discussions with FEMA and the potential outcome of the waiver request will shape the future of the territory’s disaster recovery efforts. With billions of dollars at stake, it is imperative for all parties involved to find viable solutions and ensure a successful path forward.
