September Newsletter – Exciting Staff News and Funding Opportunities

Emily Slotnick, AICP, CFM promoted to Associate – Climate Resilience

We are thrilled to announce that Emily Slotnick, AICP, CFM has been promoted to Associate – Climate Resilience. Emily has nearly 20 years of experience helping communities navigate the impacts of climate change through adaptation planning and developing resilient solutions. In this role, Emily leads a team of planners, scientists, engineers, and GIS professionals to develop cross-disciplinary solutions which will reduce vulnerability, strengthen infrastructure, protect natural resources, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations. 

BETA is dedicated to providing sustainable solutions to our clients as we face changing regulations and climate change, and we are thrilled to have Emily leading our group of climate resilience professionals to address these needs. Read more about Emily here and please join us in congratulating her as she takes on this exciting new role. 

FEMA announces Building Resilient Infrastructure & Communities (BRIC) and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant programs

FEMA recently issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the FY22 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant programs. The application window officially opens on September 30, 2022.

All states are eligible for these programs, and each has some discretion over how funding is distributed. For example, in Massachusetts, statements of interest for BRIC are required by October 14th. Additionally, the Commonwealth has announced a BRIC and FMA grant program submission deadline of December 5, 2022.

BETA can help communities throughout New England as they coordinate with their applicable funding agencies to evaluate eligibility of projects for these grants, which can provide funding towards hazard mitigation plans and projects that reduce or eliminate risk of repetitive flood damage. Click here to read more about the FEMA grant programs and the funding available for each.

BETA engineer appointed Chair of APWA National Young Professionals Committee

The American Public Works Association (APWA) President-Elect Keith Pugh recently appointed Frank Marinaccio, PE as the Chair of the APWA National Young Professionals Committee. The Young Professionals Committee brings together members of APWA’s nine regions throughout the United States and Canada to foster and expand young professional membership and participation in the organization. Read more about Frank and his involvement with the APWA National Young Professionals Committee here.

Welcome to the team!

Leya Strode joined BETA’s environmental services group as a Climate Resilience Scientist.

Leya has a BA in chemistry from Reed College and previously worked for the City of Portland, Oregon, where she worked on infrastructure management, energy efficiency, and community resilience as part of an in-house asset management program for the Bureau of Parks & Recreation.

Leya will be working with BETA’s climate resiliency and environmental permitting group on hazard mitigation plans, local and state environmental compliance, and community engagement, as well as with the water and wastewater group on MS4, stormwater, and watershed planning projects. 

Do you want to become an employee owner?

We are currently looking for talented staff across many of our disciplines in offices throughout New England. BETA will challenge you with interesting work and offers the potential for growth and advancement. Browse our current job openings.

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