The differences between ImprovedProjects and Alternate Projects, as explicitly mentioned in the document, areas follows:
Improved Projects:
- Definition: An Improved Project involves making improvements to a damaged facility while still restoring it to its pre-disaster function.
- Funding Limitations: FEMA limits Public Assistance (PA) funding for an Improved Project to the lesser of the federal share of the approved estimate to restore the facility to its pre-disaster design and function or the federal share of the actual costs of completing the Improved Project.
- Use of Funds: Improved Project funds can be used to improve the damaged facility, with examples including laying asphalt on a gravel road, replacing a firehouse with more bays, and relocating a facility.
- Eligibility: The facility must have the same function that existed immediately prior to the disaster.
- Mitigation: Funding for PA hazard mitigation for an Improved Project is limited to what would have been available if the facility had been restored to its pre-disaster design.
Alternate Projects:
- Definition: An Alternate Project is chosen when the applicant determines that restoring the pre-disaster function of a damaged facility is not in the public welfare's best interest.
- Funding Limitations: FEMA limits federal funding for an Alternate Project to the lesser of the federal share of the approved estimate to restore the facility to its pre-disaster design and function or the federal share of the actual cost of completing the Alternate Project.
- Use of Funds: Alternate Project funds can be used for various purposes, such as repairing, expanding, mitigating, or constructing a facility, demolishing facilities, purchasing capital equipment, funding project shortfalls, supplementing funds for an Improved Project, and conducting hazard mitigation measures.
- Restrictions: Alternate Project funds have restrictions on their use, such as not being able to fund budget shortfalls, create new community plans, or pay for operating expenses.
- Mitigation: Alternate Project funds can be used for hazard mitigation measures that reduce the risk of future damage, even if the facility was not damaged by the incident.
