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Columbia waits on $32 million BRIC grant as DHS appropriation stalls; staff readies rail-crossing application
Summary
City officials were told a federal judge ordered the federal BRIC program reinstated after an administration cancellation, potentially reviving Columbia’s $32 million canal-repair grant; DHS appropriations remain unresolved and staff recommended preparing a railroad-crossing grant application to close a projected $13 million local shortfall.
City officials said they are awaiting federal action that could restore a delayed $32 million hazard-mitigation grant for canal repairs while continuing to plan for an anticipated funding gap on a railroad-grade separation project.
A Capitol Edge representative told the council that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill has not been completed, a delay that has caused pay interruptions for some federal workers and has left the city’s BRIC (Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities) FY2020 award unresolved. The speaker said a federal judge recently ruled that the administration’s cancellation of the BRIC program was unlawful and ordered FEMA to reinstate the program and issue funding notices for FY2025 and FY2026.
“That is still outstanding,” the presenter said of Columbia’s FY2020 BRIC award, which the presenter said was a $32 million grant intended for canal repairs. The presenter added, “knock on wood, I hope the city will be hearing from FEMA soon on the fate of your FY2020 grant.”
Why it matters: the BRIC program supports hazard mitigation projects that can reduce future disaster costs. For Columbia, the project tied to the FY2020 award is a major infrastructure repair whose timing and federal reimbursement affect local budgeting and construction schedules.
Local staff also discussed a previously won railroad-crossing-elimination grant and a larger ongoing railroad-grade separation project on Assembly Street. Officials said such competitive rail grants often range from roughly $10 million to $30 million and that Columbia currently faces about a $13 million shortfall on a roughly $25 million project estimate. Staff recommended preparing an application now so the city can respond quickly once federal funding notices and precise award estimates arrive.
“A lot of these applications take time and effort, but if you don't apply, you’re definitely not getting a grant,” a staff member said.
Staff noted a practical reason to act early: having committed local funds on hand can strengthen negotiations with private rail partners and increase leverage when the railroad is asked to contribute right-of-way or signalization improvements.
What’s next: officials said they would proceed with work on a grant application and continue monitoring DHS appropriations and FEMA guidance. The matter of BRIC funding remains contingent on federal action and any additional administrative reviews or court developments.
