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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=Default><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=Default><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Date: August 25, 2015 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>To: Potential Hazard Mitigation Grant Applicants <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>RE: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Final Deadline <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=Default><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will be hosting two additional grant briefings for the availability of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) <b>Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) </b>funding (see following page for dates). The HMGP is a post-disaster mitigation grant funding and has been made <b>available </b>statewide as a result of the federal disaster declaration. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='margin-bottom:1.5pt'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <i>Who’s eligible to apply? </i>State and local governments, tribal organizations and certain private non-profits (for HMGP only) are eligible to apply as sub-applicants. For projects that benefit individual home or business owners, the local government must be the sub-applicant. <b>Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Requirement<i>: </i></b>To be eligible for HMGP project grants, sub-applicants must have a locally adopted and FEMA-approved Local Natural Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan (in accordance with 44 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 201) by the application deadline. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='margin-bottom:1.5pt'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <i>What type of work is eligible? </i>Stormwater, drainage and culvert improvements, flood control, property acquisition, slope stabilization, infrastructure protection, seismic and wind retrofits, structure elevations, local hazard mitigation planning, etc. <b>Please note that major changes to project eligibility are now in effect with this revised guidance. </b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='margin-bottom:1.5pt'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <i>What is needed for an application? </i>The application package is available for download on the MEMA website. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='margin-bottom:1.5pt'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <i>What is the grant cost share? </i>Sub-applicants must commit to the non-federal share of the proposed application cost; this is generally 25% of the total estimated project cost. In-kind services are allowable as part of the non-federal match. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='margin-bottom:1.5pt'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <i>How much funding is available? </i>It is estimated there will be $10-$15 million available statewide. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='margin-bottom:1.5pt'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <i>How do I learn more</i>? Grant briefings and technical assistance opportunities are available prior to the application deadlines. Before attending a briefing, you should familiarize yourself with the Grant Program Guidance, which can be found at: </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#003299'>http://www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/mema/hazard-mitigation/grants/hazard-mitigation-assistance-hma-unified-guidance.html <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <i>What is the grant application deadline</i>? The last and final deadline for HMPG 4214 is <b>Monday, November 23, 2015. </b>Before submitting your application, please schedule a Technical Assistance Meeting OR contact a Mitigation Grants Coordinator. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=Default><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance Programs are not intended as a source of funding for repair, replacement or deferred maintenance activities, but are designed to assist sub-applicants in implementing long-term, cost-effective improvements that will reduce, minimize or eliminate risk to people and property from the effects of natural hazards. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='page-break-before:always'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Projects that address operation, deferred or future maintenance, repairs or replacement (without a change in the level of protection provided) of existing structures, facilities, or infrastructure (e.g., dredging, debris removal, replacement of obsolete utility systems, bridges and facility repair) are not eligible mitigation grant activities. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>MEMA and DCR strongly encourage all interested grant applicants to attend a grant briefing. </span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The grant program briefings will provide an overview of the HMGP program, available funding, relevant application process and deadlines. Significant changes in these programs will also be covered, including, the NEW 2015 HMA Guidance, 2 CFR Part 200 Super Circular, addition of the eligibility of flood control projects, and much more. Please see the grant briefing schedule below. Technical assistance for individual applications will be available by appointment. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=Default><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The final deadline for submission of complete grant applications is NOVEMBER 23, 2015. All eligible communities are encouraged to apply for this deadline. This will be the final deadline for submission of applications under the 4214-HMGP grant program. You can download the application at: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#003299'>http://www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/mema/hazard-mitigation/grants/hazard-mitigation-grant-program-hmgp.html <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=Default><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Tuesday, September 15, 2015 </span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>1:00pm-3:00pm </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>MEMA Region III/IV Office <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>1002 Suffield St Agawam</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=Default><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=Default><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Wednesday, September 16, 2015 </span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>10:00am-12:00am </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>MEMA HQ Operations Room <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>400 Worcester Rd Framingham<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=Default><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>To attend a grant briefing, please RSVP your attendance to: </span></b><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#003299'><a href="mailto:mitigation@massmail.state.ma.us">mitigation@massmail.state.ma.us</a> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=Default><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#003299'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=Default><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#003299'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><i>RSVP’s are required so that we can notify participants in the event that the briefing logistics (date/time/location) must be changed or postponed due to weather or other events.</i></b><o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>