Delegate to Congress Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement regarding a grant totaling $17 million for the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency:
“Today, I am pleased to announce a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The grant is for $17,417,560.24 in federal funding to the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency for state management costs. State management costs, which essentially cover the costs of managing or administering the programs which are not covered by the percentage allowance, include all other ‘direct grant administration costs’ of the grantee. These costs generally represent regular time salaries and approved equipment purchases and are not intended to fund overtime, per diem and other costs already covered by statutory administrative costs.
“This important grant will benefit the Virgin Islands tremendously with our ongoing rebuilding efforts and making the Virgin Islands whole again. The United States government and the international community has an obligation to work with the affected local governments to restore infrastructure, provide critical humanitarian assistance and help rebuild our islands.”
