“Build America, Buy America” policy requiring federal infrastructure investments use iron, steel, construction material, and other products manufactured in the United States has received a one-year wiaver for projects funded through the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund.
The fund – similar in function to the state revolving funds for clean and drinking water programs – offers funding to states that have established a Safeguarding Tomorrow funds to extend low-interest loans covering projects mitigating hurricanes, winter storms, wildfires, seismic events, floods, hurricanes, heat, and more. The program, since its establishment in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has also had a focus on mitigating natural disasters’ impacts in disadvantaged and underserved communities.
States with established funds include Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. States must provide 10 percent match funds on federal investment.
Is your state not listed? Contact us. We’d love to work with you on advocacy: contact@americasdistricts.org.
Loans made though states may not only be used for infrastructure covered in FEMA-approved Hazard Mitigation Plans (click here to learn a little more about how special districts should start that conversation), but may also be used by local governments to satisfy a local government’s non-federal cost-share requirement for other FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant programs. Note: a special districts seeking project funding must have the project included in a FEMA-approved Hazard Mitigation Plan.
FEMA recently opened state applications for the Safeguarding Tomorrow Fund. Check out a summary of changes made this program year compared to last year. $500 Million was statutorily set aside in IIJA for release under the law through Fiscal Year 2026, which is the upcoming fiscal year. $150 million was allocated in FY25.
Learn more about Build America, Buy America standards, from FEMA (Jan. 24, 2025): FEMA’s Grant Programs Directorate (GPD) is offering a series of 30-minute trainings on the Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA). These virtual trainings will be facilitated by GPD’s Buy America Branch and offered on various dates from January through April 2025. The trainings will cover a variety of topics related to BABAA, including compliance, best practices, covered products, and waivers.
Learn more about special districts issues and programming at www.americasdistricts.org or email contact@americasdistricts.org.