Scranton mayor alerts officials about FEMA grant termination's impact on flood resilience

The Scranton City Council meeting on April 8, 2025, focused on significant concerns regarding federal funding and local governance. The council expressed deep concern over a recent decision by FEMA to terminate the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, which has resulted in the cancellation of all pending grant applications from fiscal years 2020 to 2023. This decision directly impacts Scranton, particularly for residents in flood-prone areas where the city had planned to acquire properties to mitigate flooding risks.

During the meeting, a council member reported that the administration had already reached out to federal representatives, including Senator John Fetterman and Representative Rob Bresnahan, to voice their concerns about the funding cuts. The council had previously advanced two applications for federal funding that were expected to support local infrastructure improvements, but with the recent announcement, those funds are no longer available.

Additionally, the council received a response from NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania regarding a request for information about a candidate's potential conflict of interest. The organization is conducting due diligence and has sought an advisory opinion from the Penn State Ethics Commission to ensure transparency and integrity in the electoral process.

The meeting underscored the ongoing challenges faced by Scranton in securing necessary federal support for community resilience and highlighted the importance of ethical governance as the city navigates these issues. The council plans to keep the public informed through updates on the city’s website regarding the FEMA funding situation and other relevant developments.