FEMA Provides $15 Million to the Minnesota Department of Health

CHICAGO – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the  Minnesota Department of Public Safety Homeland Security and Emergency Management division (DPS-HSEM) announced today that $15 million in federal funding has been made available to the Minnesota Department of Health for costs related to the state’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan under the federal disaster declaration of April 7, 2020.

This funding is an advance payment to the Minnesota Department of Health for eligible reimbursable costs to distribute and administer available COVID-19 vaccines through the establishment of 10 vaccination centers across the state. The grant also includes equipment, medical supplies and staffing costs related to the set-up of these centers.

“FEMA is committed to expanding COVID-19 vaccination efforts across the country,” said Kevin M. Sligh, acting regional administrator, FEMA Region 5. “This expedited grant funding will increase access to COVID-19 vaccines for Minnesotans, protecting residents across the state while helping reduce the spread of this virus.”

“Everyone involved in the vaccination effort in Minnesota really appreciates how quickly FEMA processed our request for advanced funding,” said DPS-HSEM Director Joe Kelly. “These funds will help us administer the available shots to people as fast as possible.”

FEMA provides a 100 percent federal share of eligible reimbursable expenses for this project.

FEMA’s Public Assistance Program provides funding to local government jurisdictions and eligible private non-profits for the repair, replacement, or restoration of disaster-damaged infrastructure as well as costs incurred for debris removal, disaster cleanup and emergency actions taken to protect lives or property.  To learn more, visit FEMA’s website at www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit.

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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.