Buffalo, New York was officially designated as a Project Impact community this past May. John Sniderhan addressed representatives of numerous partnering organizations (left); George Lee signed the Memorandum of Agreement on behalf of the University at Buffalo (right).

FEMA's Project Impact initiative provides seed money to U.S. communities to carry out disaster mitigation activities with the help of public-private sector partnerships. The program's objectives include improving the disaster resiliency of the community and reducing vulnerability and dependence on federal disaster relief assistance. 

Project funding in Buffalo will be dedicated to a range of mitigation projects, including improved snow removal programs, severe weather communications enhancements, seismic network installation and upgrading of the city's emergency operations center. A signing ceremony was held on May 4, 2001 to officially designate Buffalo as a recipient of FEMA Project Impact funds. As one of several representatives of the University at Buffalo involved in the Project Impact effort, MCEER Director George C. Lee signed a Memorandum of Agreement on behalf of the University at the ceremony. The Memorandum of Agreement signifies the willingness of the University to work together with the City to advance its Project Impact goals. 

A new Buffalo Project Impact website (http://www.projectimpact.ci.buffalo.ny.us ) was developed with the assistance of MCEER webmaster Michael Kukla. Additional kickoff activities are scheduled to take place over the next several months.