The Flood Mitigation Program (FMP), administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), is designed to support statewide flood prevention and protection efforts. Funded through Act 13 of 2012 via the Marcellus Legacy Fund, the program provides competitive annual grants to eligible Pennsylvania-based entities for planning, designing, constructing, and maintaining projects that mitigate flooding and reduce property and infrastructure damage.

Eligible applicants include municipalities (e.g., counties, cities, boroughs, townships), councils of governments, authorized organizations such as registered nonprofits and educational institutions, watershed organizations recognized by DCNR or DEP, institutions of higher education, and for-profit businesses (excluding natural gas producers). Projects must be endorsed by a recognized flood protection authority or identified by a local or state government agency or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/USDA NRCS to be eligible.

The program funds a wide variety of flood control initiatives, including land acquisition, levee construction and certification, stormwater infrastructure, engineering and permitting studies, debris removal, and security enhancements. Eligible costs also include administrative expenses (capped at 2%), engineering (capped at 10%), and construction contingencies (capped at 5%). Ineligible costs include lobbying, litigation, public relations, interest on loans, and costs incurred prior to grant approval.

The maximum award per project is $500,000, and all grants require a 15% local match, which may be provided in cash or eligible in-kind contributions such as the appraised value of real estate. All construction applicants must obtain relevant planning and permit approvals before the release of any funds. Bidding and procurement must comply with federal, state, and local regulations, and projects must adhere to Pennsylvania’s Prevailing Wage Act if applicable.

The application window is open from February 1 to May 31, 2025. Applications must be submitted through the PA Single Application for Assistance portal at https://grants.pa.gov. Each application must include several supplemental documents, including a project description and feasibility study, cost estimates, construction plans, permit documentation, letters of match funding commitment, and board resolutions for public applicants. A $100 non-refundable application fee must be paid electronically upon submission.

Applications will be evaluated based on strategic importance, cost-effectiveness, and regional impact. Approved applicants will receive an electronic grant agreement and must begin work only after receiving an official Authorization to Proceed. Reimbursement is based on verified expenditures submitted no less than every 30 days, with a professional engineer certifying compliance during construction.

For questions, applicants can contact the CFA Programs Division at ra-dcedsitedvpt@pa.gov or (717) 787-6245.