Palm Beach, Fla. – The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity announced that the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has awarded grants totaling more than $2.4 million to improve infrastructure, community redevelopment and job creation in small and rural communities in the West Palm Beach Florida area. Awards include $2.2 million through the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, $197,500 through the Community Planning Technical Assistance (CPTA) program, and $35,000 through the Competitive Florida partnership. The projects awarded in West Palm Beach area can be found below.

“Florida’s rural communities are vital to the wellbeing and prosperity of our state, and my administration is committed to helping them thrive,” said Governor DeSantis. “The more than $2.4 million to the West Palm Beach area will help ensure that our small and rural communities have the infrastructure and funding they need to create jobs and strengthen their economic resiliency.”

“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, DEO continues to champion opportunities that help communities across the state,” said Dane Eagle, Secretary of the Department of Economic Opportunity. “We will work closely with these communities to meet their infrastructure needs and prepare them for the future in order to ensure strong economic development.”

Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant program include:

The Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant program, administered by DEO and funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, provides funding for housing and community development activities that primarily benefit persons of low- and moderate-income in small cities and rural communities. More information about the Florida Small Cities CDBG program can be found here.

• Village of Indiantown ($700,000) – to repave and install stormwater drains along Southwest Seminole Drive and Southwest Osceola Street, and replace a sewer line at the Magnolia Street lift station to prevent ongoing sewer overflows.
• City of Stuart ($750,000) – to rehabilitate or demolish and replace a minimum of 11 low-and moderate-income substandard households and remove unhealthy and hazardous conditions. Temporary relocation assistance will be provided.
• St. Lucie County ($750,000) – to rehabilitate or demolish and replace 11 very low, low-, and moderate-income households to comply with the county’s adopted housing code. Temporary relocation assistance will be provided.

Community Planning Technical Assistance:

The Community Planning Technical Assistance grant program seeks to build stronger communities through innovative planning and development strategies to promote economic diversity, protect environmentally sensitive areas, and bolster resiliency planning. More information about the CPTA program can be found here.

• Town of Seawall’s Point ($50,000) – to complete the second phase of the Evaluation and Review amendment to the town’s comprehensive plan.
• Village of Indiantown ($50,000) – to develop the Indiantown Combined Mobility Plan and Mobility Fee Project to provide mobility choices.
• City of Palm Beach Gardens ($50,000) – to create a Resilience Action Plan for the Palm Beach North region in partnership with nine other municipalities, the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce, and other regional stakeholders.
• Village of Palm Springs ($47,500) – to prepare a plan to convert septic systems to a village-wide sewer system.

Competitive Florida Partnership

The Competitive Florida Partnership funds the development of an economic strategy through innovative planning, which focuses on economic growth, diversity, community design, and disaster preparedness. More information about the Competitive Florida Partnership can be found here.

• City of Fellsmere (Indian River County) - $35,000

Statewide, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that DEO awarded grants totaling more than $30 million in small and rural Florida throughout the state of Florida. Awards included $29 million through the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, $1.2 million through the Community Planning Technical Assistance (CPTA) program, $280,000 through the Competitive Florida Partnership program. More information can be found here.

About DEO

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity combines the state’s economic, workforce and community development efforts, expediting economic development projects to fuel job creation in competitive communities and promote economic resiliency. For more information, including valuable resources for employers and job seekers, please visit www.FloridaJobs.org.

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