05/06/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/06/2021 14:41
Panama City Beach, Fla. - Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that more than $111 million has been awarded to 22 communities through the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity's (DEO) Rebuild Florida General Infrastructure Repair Program for communities impacted by Hurricane Michael. The program, administered by DEO, is designed to provide funding for local governments to strategically rebuild and harden infrastructure in order to prevent or reduce losses from future disasters.
'Hurricane Michael caused catastrophic damage to Northwest Florida and we remain one-hundred percent committed to helping these communities rebuild and recover stronger than before,' said Governor DeSantis. 'This Rebuild Florida funding will provide local governments with critical resources to harden their infrastructure and ensure that these communities are as prepared as possible for future disasters.'
The funds are allocated to the state through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program.
'With Governor DeSantis' leadership, the Rebuild Florida General Infrastructure Repair Program will ensure that these communities have the resources they need today with an eye toward the future,' said DEO Executive Director Dane Eagle. 'By selecting projects that meet important community needs and strengthen infrastructure, we are helping communities to ensure are better able to meet future challenges.'
'Thanks to the outstanding leadership of Governor DeSantis and Executive Director Eagle, Northwest Florida is on a path to full recovery from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Michael,' said Representative Jay Trumbull, Chair of the House Appropriations Committee. 'This critical Rebuild Florida Funding will go a long way in helping our communities bounce back from Michael and be prepared for the inevitable storms to come.'
DEO is awarding communities funding for the following 22 projects through the Rebuild Florida General Infrastructure Repair Program:
The Rebuild Florida General Infrastructure Repair Program will provide an additional round of funding in the future for communities designated by HUD or the state as Most Impacted and Distressed by Hurricane Michael. Individuals who would like to receive updates about future funding opportunities may sign up here.
The Department of Economic Opportunity is the governor-designated state authority responsible for administering all HUD long-term recovery funds awarded to the state. Rebuild Florida uses federal funding for Florida's long-term recovery efforts from the devastating impacts of natural disasters. For more information, visit www.RebuildFlorida.gov.
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