Alejandra Borunda

And Hofford says it would take them decades to collect enough tax revenue because, you know, only about 1,500 people live there. So he applied to FEMA for this program specifically for projects that prevent disaster damage.

And Hofford says it would take them decades to collect enough tax revenue because, you know, only about 1,500 people live there. So he applied to FEMA for this program specifically for projects that prevent disaster damage.

Yeah, exactly. Yeah, the idea is you pay a little bit now so you don't have to pay a lot more later. And studies show that it really is cheaper to prepare infrastructure for disasters instead of just paying to rebuild it after a disaster hits. So this grant program, it's called BRIC, Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities. It was actually started during Trump's first administration.

Yeah, exactly. Yeah, the idea is you pay a little bit now so you don't have to pay a lot more later. And studies show that it really is cheaper to prepare infrastructure for disasters instead of just paying to rebuild it after a disaster hits. So this grant program, it's called BRIC, Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities. It was actually started during Trump's first administration.

Yeah, exactly. Yeah, the idea is you pay a little bit now so you don't have to pay a lot more later. And studies show that it really is cheaper to prepare infrastructure for disasters instead of just paying to rebuild it after a disaster hits. So this grant program, it's called BRIC, Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities. It was actually started during Trump's first administration.

And it kind of marked this big shift that disaster experts have been pushing for for decades. But now, you know, it's being canceled. So what will that mean for the community of Depew? Yeah. So they had been told the grant was already awarded to them. They've been working on it. They've been planning and preparing for years. And Hoffert was actually expecting the money this year.

And it kind of marked this big shift that disaster experts have been pushing for for decades. But now, you know, it's being canceled. So what will that mean for the community of Depew? Yeah. So they had been told the grant was already awarded to them. They've been working on it. They've been planning and preparing for years. And Hoffert was actually expecting the money this year.

And it kind of marked this big shift that disaster experts have been pushing for for decades. But now, you know, it's being canceled. So what will that mean for the community of Depew? Yeah. So they had been told the grant was already awarded to them. They've been working on it. They've been planning and preparing for years. And Hoffert was actually expecting the money this year.

And then he heard it was canceled.

And then he heard it was canceled.

And then he heard it was canceled.

Yeah, I mean, Hoffert says they're looking for any other option at this point, but there just aren't a lot of sources for funding like that. The federal government really has been key for rural communities like his. What is the Trump administration saying about why these grants have been canceled?

Yeah, I mean, Hoffert says they're looking for any other option at this point, but there just aren't a lot of sources for funding like that. The federal government really has been key for rural communities like his. What is the Trump administration saying about why these grants have been canceled?

Yeah, I mean, Hoffert says they're looking for any other option at this point, but there just aren't a lot of sources for funding like that. The federal government really has been key for rural communities like his. What is the Trump administration saying about why these grants have been canceled?

So FEMA put out a statement saying the program is canceled because it's ineffective and part of an effort to root out waste and fraud. And, you know, Hoffert takes issue with that.

So FEMA put out a statement saying the program is canceled because it's ineffective and part of an effort to root out waste and fraud. And, you know, Hoffert takes issue with that.

So FEMA put out a statement saying the program is canceled because it's ineffective and part of an effort to root out waste and fraud. And, you know, Hoffert takes issue with that.

And his community is definitely not alone. There are many local governments and tribes that were told they had grants, they were on the way. And that's for things like, you know, tornado shelters and schools and preparing communities for wildfires.

And his community is definitely not alone. There are many local governments and tribes that were told they had grants, they were on the way. And that's for things like, you know, tornado shelters and schools and preparing communities for wildfires.

And his community is definitely not alone. There are many local governments and tribes that were told they had grants, they were on the way. And that's for things like, you know, tornado shelters and schools and preparing communities for wildfires.