Funding reductions jeopardize a vital undertaking in a conservative-majority district

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Small Town's Heartbreak: Trump-Era Grant Cuts Stall Critical Flood Protection Project

A bitter pill was swallowed by Brian Shay, the administrator of Hoquiam, a coastal city in Grays Harbor County, when he received a stunning message on vacation. The $84 million grant funding the town's 12-mile levee project, intended to shield Hoquiam from flooding, had been yanked by the Department of Homeland Security under the new administration.

Hoquiam, a city of about 8,700 residents, has grappled with frequent flooding for generations. The county's large harbor overflows during heavy rains or high tides, causing chaos and prompting federal declarations of the region as a flood zone years ago.

Driven by the determination that enough was enough, Shay joined other local officials seven years ago in a successful bid for federal funds to construct the levee project — beginning in President Donald Trump's first term. When Trump was reelected, the project's future seemed secure. However, as the administration began slashing budgets, Shay grew anxious.

"We kept asking if there were any issues or reasons to worry," Shay said last month in his office. "We were constantly reassured, 'Nope, nope. It's not at risk.'"

On March 27, 2025, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the grant giver, completed a multiyear environmental review. It was the final step before FEMA released the funds, but instead, it was the catalyst for devastating news.

"I was like, 'What in the world?'" Shay recalled, describing his reaction after checking his phone for work messages during spring break vacation in Orlando.

In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under Secretary Kristi Noem declared that eliminating waste and fraud was a priority, and labeled the grant program as more concerned with political agendas than helping Americans affected by natural disasters. The sudden termination of funding brought the entire project to a standstill.

"It felt like being stabbed in the heart," expressed Shay, a third-generation Grays Harbor native dedicated to improving his hometown after college.

Grays Harbor is a Republican county in a Democratic state, yet the levee project was not political. It was a commonsense public infrastructure project created collaboratively by city councils, Native American tribes, Democrats, and Republicans. The project's collapse has left communities across the nation struggling to understand the nature of the cuts. Administrators must determine whether the funding is merely on hold, redirected through other programs, or permanently gone.

In an effort to replace the lost funding, Grays Harbor County has joined other affected areas. Shay remains hopeful that the grant is not lost for good.

Under Threat

The levee project held wide support in Grays Harbor, not only out of concern for flooding, but also due to the economic impact. Without the levee, the already struggling sleepy town might be doomed to remain in a slumber.

Any homebuyer in the flood zone faces the need for costly flood insurance, which can run thousands of dollars each year. Extensive renovations also necessitate pricey flood-proofing measures, like elevating structures for new foundations. The flood zone's presence has hindered development in Aberdeen and Hoquiam, both grappling with the lingering effects of a shrinking timber industry and boasting mostly vacant downtown storefronts.

The levee would have eliminated those requirements for the vast majority of both cities, opening the door to development.

Michelle Simon Conrad, a used-book store owner in Aberdeen, learned firsthand the cost of doing business in the flood zone when her mall closed suddenly. With only two weeks to vacate, she eventually found a cheaper property but was still shocked by the flood insurance policy requirements. A policy costing $4,500 annually seems oppressively expensive for Conrad, who labors over budgeting with collectibles imported from China and a store offering gaming experiences for young customers.

Most of all, Conrad is upset about local residents struggling from cuts to federal assistance. Last year, a homeless woman stayed in her store's parking lot, a casualty of the area's drug problem. A couple is living in the parking spot now, one of whom is a veteran. Conrad complained that reduced food bank supplies have made life harder for them and others in need.

A Question of Reinstatement

Despite the bipartisan support for the levee project, the likelihood of the funding being restored is a political Rorschach test. Conrad is skeptical that the money will come back, struggling to understand supporters of former President Trump who believe otherwise, like her ex-husband.

On the other hand, Hoquiam's Mayor, Ben Winkelman, voted for Trump and hopes that the levee project will move forward. He would like to speak directly with the president in the event of a normal conversation about the situation.

Winkelman's background mirrors the history of Grays Harbor, having grown up in a logging camp and experiencing the economic and political changes leading to the community's closure. Winkelman thinks the levee project is currently caught in the crossfire between FEMA and Trump administration officials advocating for agency reform.

Republicans in Grays Harbor County seem optimistic about the grant being reinstated, viewing budget cuts as a necessary part of responsible governance. This sentiment stands in contrast to Conrad's frustration at increased difficulties for the area's most vulnerable citizens.

In May 2025, dozens of U.S. representatives and senators wrote a letter to the administration, urging the reinstatement of the funding. If the grant is not restored soon, both towns may be forced to abandon the ambitious levee project, another example of the community's long history of disappointment with the government.

The levee project in Hoquiam, WA, a critical flood protection initiative, was halted due to budget cuts under the new administration, leaving the Department of Homeland Security as the grant's rescinder.
Beyond flooding concerns, the levee project's economic impact is also significant, as its absence could potentially stall the revitalization of struggling towns like Hoquiam and Aberdeen, hampered by a shrinking timber industry and vacant downtown storefronts.
The halt in funding has also made it challenging for residents in the flood zone, who face costly flood insurance policies and necessitate flood- proofing measures, impacting the neighborhood's development.
The political landscape surrounding the levee project's reinstatement remains uncertain, with bipartisan support on one hand but skepticism on the other, creating a political Rorschach test for the grant's future.
As the grant's reinstatement remains unclear, U.S. representatives and senators have written letters to the administration, urging them to reconsider the funding for these critical infrastructure projects.
Meanwhile, the underlying issues of politics and budgeting continue to dominate the headlines in general-news, crime-and-justice, and business sections, with debates over infrastructure spending and reforms often at the forefront.

Funding reductions jeopardize a vital undertaking in a conservative-majority district