What Happened Next?

It was understood from the beginning that completion of all phases could take a few years even with the strong confidence given to us that FEMA would complete their authorization and distribution of funds by late 2021. As we know now, this disbursement did not materialize as the bureaucracy of the government’s systems created a very lengthy process, even slower than what we imagined.


While just over $1 million dollars was initially received from FEMA, we waited over four years for tens of millions to be released by FEMA. In the meantime, we also praised the Lord for generous gifts from individuals and foundations over those years, currently totaling over $2 million.

Aerial view of a construction site with exposed earth, machinery, and partially built structures.

We eventually used all our insurance funds and initial FEMA money by the end of 2021, forcing us to call for a work stoppage. Contractors responded graciously as we were able to pay every contract invoice to date. At that point, 98% of Phase 1 was completed, which included earthwork and “below-ground” infrastructure (storm water control, utilities, etc.).


More than 70% of Phase 2 was also completed, including the recreational fields being finished and base surfaces of parking lots installed. Phase 3 was initiated with foundation laid and steel framing for the first building erected. 

Aerial view: Construction site with metal framing, sports field, and town in the background.

Another disappointment occurred in the summer of 2022, as FEMA indicated they would not grant some funding of our damage. With help from professional contractors and legal counsel, we learned this is not unusual for FEMA and it would require us to enter a formal appeal. God had already led us to retain legal experts in dealing with FEMA and we prepared the appeal with support from the law offices of Baker-Donelson. The appeal was submitted in Fall of 2022, but a final decision was not forthcoming until October of 2023.


Once received, the decision on our appeal was less than satisfactory. Another submittal on our part, informed by a 3rd party analysis resulted in an improved result, but even that required further scrutiny by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) which extended for over a year into the fall of 2024.

Aerial view: football and baseball fields, construction site, power station, road, houses in the distance, sunny day.

With the conclusion of the USACE's study in October of 2024, we were informed of the final valuation of the scope of our project. After deductions for insurance, FEMA's commitment amounted to $37.3 million. The only thing that remained to receive was the actual government contract in the form of an official Letter of Obligation. This also took several months, but finally, the Letter of Obligation was received and signed by all parties as a contractual agreement in the spring of 2025.