The State Budget Departments Grants Management Office (GMO) reported to the appropriations committee that it has produced two guidance products for post-fire recovery and preparedness and has processed hundreds of technical service requests from Wyoming local governments.

Director Kevin Hibbert and GMO Administrator Christine Imager said the office created a wildfire recovery guide summarizing federal funding programs relevant to wildfire recovery, an expanded funding opportunity scan that catalogs state, federal and foundation opportunities, and a website resource where both documents are published. Imager said the office updates its materials when federal programs or guidance change.

Imager told the committee GMO has handled 587 technical service requests across every county in Wyoming, offering free help to eligible applicants. The office can pull in other state partners (Office of State Lands and Investments, Office of Homeland Security, Wildlife Natural Resource Trust, Game and Fish, USDA programs) to answer specific eligibility questions and to help with application and reporting requirements.

The GMO also reported it is available for post-disaster casework, emphasizing that eligibility for certain federal funding streams can hinge on the type of declaration (for example, a presidential federal disaster declaration versus other forms of declarations). Imager said the GMO offered webinars and outreach for local officials and that the office will update and maintain the recovery guide and opportunity scan as funding and program guidance changes.

Why this matters: Local officials told the committee they often lack clarity after a fire about where to apply for recovery dollars. GMO provides a staffed point of contact that county officials said they find useful in navigating eligibility, applications and post-award reporting.