Government

Case Study

COR3

Objectives

To assist the Government of Puerto Rico with managing disaster recovery and mitigation efforts following Hurricanes Irma and Maria, including grant management, funding acquisition, and providing technical assistance for ongoing recovery and mitigation programs.

Solutions

Initial Response and Recovery:

  • Established a grants management structure and team.
  • Managed and reviewed documentation to justify reimbursements.
  • Supported the processing of approximately $573 million in funds within six months, increasing to over $2 billion by the end of the first year.

Long-Term Recovery Planning:

  • Advised on the establishment of a long-term recovery and project oversight office.
  • Worked with Puerto Rican leadership on the need for a long-term recovery and project oversight office, and provided advice on its scope and roles, structure, and operation.
  • Collaborated with the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration to secure over $20 billion in disaster recovery appropriations from Congress.

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (2021-2023):

  • Managed the $4 billion Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for COR3.
  • Developed hundreds of HMGP project applications totaling more than $5.3 billion.
  • Worked with various entities to develop both routine and innovative funding requests.
  • Provided expert technical assistance to COR3 for HMGP grant development and compliance with FEMA regulations.

Ongoing Technical Assistance (2023-present):

  • Provided support for HMGP, Public Assistance, and other tasks for approximately 200 applicants/subapplicants/subrecipients across active disasters.
  • Assisted COR3 in resolving issues with FEMA, improving processes, and navigating disaster recovery challenges.

Benefits

Substantial Funding Acquisition:

  • Facilitated the acquisition and management of significant disaster recovery funds, including $573 million initially and over $2 billion in the first year.
  • Worked exhaustively with the Executive Director of Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration to successfully convince Congress and the Administration to pass the largest disaster supplemental appropriation in history, providing over $20 billion dollars for disaster recovery in Puerto Rico.

Effective Grants Management:

  • Implemented an efficient grants management system that effectively tracked and justified funding, leading to successful reimbursements and project developments.

Enhanced Hazard Mitigation Efforts:

  • Supported the development of comprehensive HMGP project applications, contributing to the successful allocation of over $5.3 billion in hazard mitigation funding.

Long-Term Recovery Framework:

  • Established a structured long-term recovery office that improved oversight and management of ongoing recovery efforts.

Improved Process and Compliance:

  • Provided technical assistance that enhanced COR3’s ability to navigate federal requirements and FEMA rules, leading to improved disaster recovery and mitigation processes.

Broadened Support:

  • Extended support to a wide range of entities and stakeholders, ensuring effective disaster recovery across multiple active disasters (Irma, Maria, Earthquakes, Fiona).