The Thriving Communities Webinar Series, kicking off in January 2024, is a part of University of Illinois Extension and Prairie Rivers Network's collaboration to build capacity for technical assistance and education aimed to help communities navigate energy- and environment-related federal grant application systems, provide guidance on community inclusion, and lead community-specific strategic planning. This outreach should help communities secure and administer funding to address legacy pollution and invest in clean energy technologies.

Tues | April 16 | 12 PM CT: Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Grant Programs

On Oct. 12, 2023, FEMA published the fiscal year 2023 funding opportunities for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities and the Flood Mitigation Assistance grant programs, totaling $1.8 billion. BRIC’s available funding is $1 billion, and for Flood Mitigation Assistance, the available funding is $800 million. These funds will help state, local, tribal, and territorial governments address future risks for natural disasters, foster greater community resilience, and reduce disaster suffering. Addressing these risks helps make communities more resilient.

This webinar will focus on the future hazards Illinois will face due to climate change and how you can use the BRIC federal grant to fund projects in your community to mitigate these natural hazards. Our presentations will include Dr. Trent Ford's research on Climate Change in Southern Illinois and a discussion of the next round of the Building Resilient Infrastructure & Communities grant.

About the speakers:

Dr. Trent Ford has been the Illinois State Climatologist since 2019. Trent is an expert in climate and climate change and its interactions and impacts, especially as they relate to water. Trent leads climate monitoring and data collection and provision for the state of Illinois. He and his team provide information online, through traditional and social media, and by speaking to interested groups across the state. A native of Roanoke, Illinois, Ford earned a bachelor's in geography from Illinois State University before completing his master's and Ph.D. at Texas A&M University.

Jeff Thompson, State Hazard Mitigation officer, serves the states, counties, and local jurisdictions, working directly with FEMA and their Hazard Mitigation grant programs managers to help ensure communities get the support and information needed to apply for BRIC/FMA grants. Jeff assists communities in grant management after they have been awarded. He has worked with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency for 3 years and briefed multiple counties, cities, and agencies about FEMA grant opportunities. He has 20 years of Active-Duty Air Force service working heavily in risk management (ret. 2019).

Randa Watts started with Prairie Rivers Network in January as the Clean Water Organizer. Her focus is on water quality, water infrastructure funding, education & outreach. Originally from Pittsfield, IL, Watts served in the Illinois Air National Guard and earned her bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Illinois Springfield.

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