10/08/2018- In what’s being called an unprecedented decision, Friday Governor Rick Snyder approved additional money to cover the up to $7.4 million dollars in matching funds Upper Peninsula grant recipients are required to pay under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s public assistance program following this summer’s flooding. In June, heavy rains caused significant damage to portions of Gogebic, Houghton, and Menominee counties. Under the relief program, local agencies were required to match 25% of FEMA funds and Governor Snyder had said the state would only cover half of that amount. However, after reviewing the impact funding just that 12.5% required match would have on local budgets, Snyder reversed his initial decision and instead announced the state will cover all 25%. A preliminary assessment shows the three counties sustained nearly $30 million in damages that are eligible for FEMA relief.