Harnessing BRIC Funding: Paving the Way for Virtual Inspections

The journey toward fortifying our infrastructure and committing to safer, more resilient homes and businesses in St. Paul began with a critical realization: we needed more than just a technological upgrade for virtual inspections; we required comprehensive support for project management, digital code resources and the hardware necessary to carry out our initiatives. As the Director of the Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI), I spearheaded this multifaceted approach, fully aware of the intricate challenges we faced.

Our initial venture into this project hit a snag, mainly due to the inadequacies of our existing permitting software. This setback underscored the importance of having a robust and modern software infrastructure to successfully implement virtual inspections.

It was then that the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant emerged as a beacon of hope. This grant was not merely a financial resource; it was a tool that empowered us to steer our project back on course. By pairing the BRIC grant with additional funding, we were able to secure the financial footing necessary to kickstart our initiative.

See Related: Fortifying Our Future: The BRIC Program’s Unprecedented Support for Building Codes 

Navigating the BRIC Application Process

The BRIC grant opened avenues for invaluable collaborations within our city’s administration. Engaging with grant management experts, particularly those familiar with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) processes, was a strategic move. Their expertise proved instrumental in navigating the grant application process and the subsequent project reporting requirements. The process of applying for the BRIC grant was a meticulous one, entailing a commitment to developing and maintaining relationships with Emergency Management partners, a necessity given the sub-recipient nature of the grant.

The Code Council also readily had staff available that could support others in their application journey as well.

The grant application process was a test of patience and a lesson in diligence. Every stage, from application to meticulous project reporting, was a learning curve that honed our team’s skills in grant management and project execution.

Bolstering the Strength of Building Departments Through BRIC Funding

The BRIC funding has laid a sturdy foundation for our virtual inspections project, facilitating the essential upgrade of our permitting software, and setting the stage for a seamless transition to virtual inspection processes.

FEMA’s recognition of effective code administration as a key to building more resilient communities was an integral part of our narrative throughout the application. This aligned perfectly with our mission, underscoring the importance of our project in the wider context of community safety and sustainability.

Reflecting on this journey, the BRIC grant symbolizes the essence of collaborative effort and the immense potential that lies in leveraging external funding to enhance and modernize our city’s infrastructure. Through the lens of this experience, the BRIC grant has epitomized the spirit of resilience and innovation, reaffirming the power of collective endeavor in advancing towards a technologically savvy and efficient service delivery system.

The Code Council is here to help you improve your community’s implementation and enforcement efforts through grant funding.

If you would like to learn more about how your community can leverage BRIC funds in the FY 2023 application cycle, where states have access to $2 million each for code-related activities, click here or reach out to Stella Carr, Code Council Energy and Resilience Project Manager.