SARASOTA, Fla. — Millions of dollars in new funding is coming to the city of Sarasota as the city still recovers from Hurricane Ian almost two years later.
FEMA announced it has approved $2,312,787 in grant funding to reimburse the city for the Sarasota Wind Project, which is dedicated to improving current traffic signals at three different intersections.
In a press release, the organization explains that Hurricane Ian left wind damage on current traffic signals that caused traffic delays and increased chances of accidents.
With the new funds, the project is looking to protect signal lights against 170 mph winds to ensure they can still properly work during future storms.
FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provides funding to state, local, territorial and tribal governments to reduce, or mitigate, future disaster losses in their communities.
The agency explains that it works with applicants to come up with future projects, which receive funding through the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM).
"Once a project is obligated, FDEM works closely with applicants to complete the grant process and begin making payments. FDEM has procedures in place designed to ensure grant funding is provided to local communities as quickly as possible," a FEMA news release reads.