Rick Patrick
editor@riverbendnews.org
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently announced that an additional $167.5 million will be awarded to several Florida communities affected by recent hurricanes. A total of 34 small, rural communities across the state will receive the funding assistance through the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Infrastructure Repair Program.
“Today, I announced funding for critical infrastructure projects in 34 small and rural Florida communities,” said Gov. DeSantis. “These awards, totaling $167.5 million, will bolster long-term recovery efforts in areas hit by major storms in 2023 and 2024 - and these investments will also help ensure that our rural communities remain competitive, resilient and full of opportunity for Florida families.”
Local communities receiving grant funding through the CDBG-DR include:
- Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners ($1,200,000) - to restore and provide needed improvements to Hamilton County’s only sheltering facility.
- Lafayette County Board of County Commissioners ($1,382,403) - to restore and harden the drainage and roadway system that serves residents, school buses, agriculture and emergency vehicles.
In addition to the CDBG-DR funding, the Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF) Program announced additional funding. Local communities receiving this funding include:
- Hamilton County ($300,000) - to construct a new building at the Alpha Commerce Center to provide flexible, move-in-ready facilities to attract logistics, distribution and advanced manufacturing companies.
- Town of Jennings ($300,000) - to complete the planning, design and permitting of a new production well; plus critical improvements and upgrades to the existing water treatment plant.