Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) announced grant awards totaling more than $4.3 million in North-Central Florida. Grant funding will be used to improve infrastructure, community redevelopment, and job creation in small and rural communities. Awards include $4.3 million through the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and $35,000 through the Competitive Florida partnership. The projects awarded in North-Central Florida 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 $4.3 million to the Tallahassee 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:

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.

• City of Midway ($700,000) – to pave or repave six separate streets. These activities will serve a total of 301 people, of which most are very low, and, low- and moderate-income individuals.
• Town of Jennings ($650,000) – to rehabilitate or demolish and replace a minimum of nine very low-, low-, and moderate-income households to meet current building code standards. Temporary relocation assistance will be provided.
• City of Madison ($700,000) – to replace sewer lines and water lines serving more than 50 low- and moderate-income households in the South Central area of the city.
• Madison County ($750,000) – to rehabilitate 11 low- and moderate-income, owner-occupied households in Madison County. This project will replace substandard housing and remove unhealthy or hazardous conditions.
• Taylor County ($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.
• Wakulla County ($750,000) – to rehabilitate or demolish and replace a minimum of 11 low- and moderate-income substandard households. Temporary relocation assistance will be provided if necessary.

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 St. Marks (Wakulla 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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