PENSACOLA, Fla. — FEMA has approved an additional $5,598,399 for the state of Florida to reimburse the city of Lynn Haven for its continuing permanent repairs to five city parks and sports complex after Hurricane Michael in 2018.
Funding from FEMA's Public Assistance grant program will be used for the repairs at A.L. Kinsaul Park, Cain Griffin Park, James E. Rogers Park, Leslie Porter Park, Monument Park and the Lynn Haven Sports Complex.
Repairs will be made to beach and dog parks, splash parks, basketball and tennis courts, ballfields, concession stands, restrooms, pavilions, pedestrian trails and bridges, playgrounds and parking lots to restore them to their pre-disaster design, function and capacity.
This reimbursement brings the total of FEMA grants to the city for Hurricane Michael recovery to $40.9 million.
FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency. The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) works with FEMA during all phases of the program and reviews projects prior to FEMA final approval.
Applicants work directly with FEMA to develop projects and scopes of work. FEMA obligates funding for projects to FDEM after final approval.
Once a project is obligated, FDEM works closely with applicants to finalize grants and begin making payments. FDEM has procedures in place designed to ensure grant funding is provided to local communities as quickly as possible.
FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides grants to state, tribal and local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship, so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies.