Contractors are grumbling about using their credit, bonding and cash flow to finance the Gulf Coast region’s recovery while they wait for reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Even if the contractors and agencies requesting their services file all of the appropriate paperwork, FEMA representatives can’t give them assurances about when they will be paid. Spokesperson Allison Hadley admitted she “can’t put a timeline” on how long it takes for the funds to be submitted into the state’s account and the state to disburse payment to contractors. That would be a real stretch for me.”
Interestingly, contractors on the high-profile, $125-million Superdome rehabilitation project are not having any problems getting reimbursed by FEMA. “We are getting paid here on a regular basis,” says Roy Mouledous, project executive for Broadmoor, the New Orleans company handling construction management for all of the interior repairs and enhancements.