Sen. Gary Peters

Senator, Michigan

We’ve seen first-hand in Michigan how extreme flooding has put homes and small businesses at risk, and caused millions of dollars in damages. That is why I have worked to help communities mitigate the effects of these natural disasters — including by securing $500 million for a program I created through the STORM Act that will give localities new opportunities to invest in resilient infrastructure like flood walls. I’m grateful for this honor from the American Flood Coalition and will continue working across the aisle to address the threat posed by floods and other natural disasters to the lives and livelihood of Michiganders and all Americans.

Senator Gary Peters represents the state of Michigan in the U.S. Senate.

Senator Peters has championed proposals to increase and diversify funding sources for proactive flood resilience such as his bipartisan Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation (STORM) Act, which was signed into law in 2021. As a part of the bipartisan infrastructure law, Senator Peters secured $500 million to help kick start this important program. The law authorizes FEMA to work with states and tribes to establish revolving loan funds to advance projects that reduce disaster risks such as shoreline erosion, flooding, and high water levels. Senator Peters has also focused on reforming post-disaster response processes to ensure faster, more equitable recoveries in the wake of flooding and other disasters. His bill to establish a high level office at FEMA to increase access to and improve the quality of disaster assistance for, among others, minority, rural, and disabled communities, has advanced in the Senate.

In the 117th Congress, Senator Peters serves as Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and as a member of the Armed Services and Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committees, including as chair of the Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freight, and Ports Subcommittee.

Born in Pontiac, Michigan, Peters earned a B.A. in political science from Alma College. While working a full-time job, he went on to earn an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Detroit Mercy, an M.A. in political science from Wayne State University, an M.A. in Philosophy from Michigan State University with a focus on the ethics of development and a law degree (J.D.) from Wayne State University Law School. He also earned a diploma from the College of Naval Command and Staff, U.S. Naval War College. Senator Peters served for more than 10 years in the U.S. Navy Reserve, earning a Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist designation, and rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He also worked for over two decades in the private sector as a financial advisor and in management positions.

Senator Peters began his public service career as a Rochester Hills City Councilman in 1991. In 1994, he was elected to the Michigan State Senate and served two terms. He went on to represent southeast Michigan in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2009-2013 before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014 and subsequently reelected in 2020.

Senator Peters lives in Oakland County with his wife, Colleen. They have three children.

 

The American Flood Coalition is an IRS Section 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The American Flood Coalition is not a Congressional Membership Organization and nothing on this website shall be read to imply official sponsorship by either the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate or any of their respective Members. Federal Champion is an honorary title awarded by the American Flood Coalition to recognize Members of Congress who have come together to drive adaptation to the reality of higher seas, stronger storms, and more frequent flooding.

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Which characteristics is your community looking for in funding opportunities?

Disaster declaration
A Presidential Disaster Declaration unlocks a suite of federal programs that assist local governments with disaster recovery. This is a good filter for communities included in recent Disaster Declarations related to flooding.
Nature-based solutions
The program has a strong focus on providing assistance to promote a healthy ecosystem as a critical defense against flooding impacts. Eligible activities may include floodplain restoration, environmental stewardship, projects that use natural features to mitigate erosion, and living shorelines.
Encourages public-private partnerships
The program encourages or requires collaboration between government entities and stakeholders, including the private sector, to fund, develop, or implement projects.
Offers rolling deadlines
The program accepts applications on an ongoing basis with no fixed deadline.

Is your project in the planning, design, or construction phase?

Planning
The gathering of data and information regarding the extent and impacts of flooding. Eligible activities may include data acquisition, risk assessment, and environmental analysis.
Design & scoping
Covers pre-construction activities, such as defining project scope, developing technical designs, and securing funding to prepare for implementation.
Construction & implementation
Involves carrying out flood resilience projects, including building infrastructure and deploying solutions to reduce flood risks.

Are you looking for grants, loans, or technical assistance for your project?

Funding (grants)
A monetary award that does not need to be repaid. Many federal grants are reimbursable, meaning recipients must cover project costs upfront and then request reimbursement from the government.
Financing (loans)
A government-issued loan that must be repaid. These loans typically provide funding upfront, helping communities cover project costs before repayment begins.
Technical assistance
Assistance from the government in the form of services — such as project planning, engineering and design support, data analysis, training, capacity building, or collaboration through a cooperative agreement — instead of direct funding.

Some programs provide extra support for specific project types or communities. Do any of these apply to your project?

Small or rural communities
Programs that set aside funding, offer loan forgiveness, or adjust cost share requirements for communities with smaller populations.
Small or low-cost projects
Programs that offer reduced requirements for smaller projects, such as waived cost-sharing or exemptions from benefit-cost analysis.
Regional or watershed focus
Programs that support projects that take a watershed management approach or address flooding at a regional scale, requiring coordination beyond a single town or community.
Tribal communities
Programs that dedicate resources or adjust cost share requirements specifically for tribal governments or organizations.
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