For hazard mitigation efforts, Governor Ron DeSantis gave more than $3.8 million to Bay County, Chipola College, the City of Cottondale, and the Town of Havana.
Through the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s (DEO) Rebuild Florida Hazard Mitigation Grant Match Program, these projects will build, renovate, and expand crucial infrastructure to support recovery efforts in communities affected by Hurricane Michael.
There is still work to be done to help these communities strengthen their resiliency, according to Governor Ron DeSantis. “Northwest Florida has worked hard to recover since Hurricane Michael struck nearly four years ago,” he said.
“Communities in the Panhandle are able to protect their infrastructure and take another step toward a comprehensive recovery via the Rebuild Florida Hazard Mitigation Grant Match Program.”
“Governor DeSantis is dedicated to supporting local governments as they rebuild their lives after Hurricane Michael and fortify their infrastructure to withstand future storms.
These initiatives will maintain resident safety and promote economic growth, according to DEO Secretary Dane Eagle.
“DEO is delighted to work with our federal, state, and local partners to win funding to support Florida towns’ recovery and long-term strength,” said the statement.
The Rebuild Florida Hazard Mitigation Grant Match Program was created to provide funding for worthwhile initiatives that aid in recovery efforts and strengthen community infrastructure to lessen the effects of future disasters.
The match programme alone has given out more than $35 million. To date, DEO has provided more than $348 million in funding to communities affected by Hurricane Michael for long-term disaster recovery.
Project funding includes:
- Bay County (more than $2.5 million) – to pave and install drainage for 22 unpaved roads to provide safer emergency evacuation routes for more than 100,000 citizens who utilize these roads.
- Chipola College (more than $1.2 million) – to harden critical infrastructure at Chipola College to serve as an emergency shelter and housing for emergency responders after a disaster.
- City of Cottondale (nearly $45,000) – to install crucial generators at three critical facilities.
- City of Cottondale (more than $20,000) – to install a vital generator at the city’s Sprayfield Pump Station.
- Town of Havana (more than $27,000) – to install a generator for backup power to two lift stations, the fire department, and the police station.
The state’s FEMA HMGP grants are managed by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), which calls for a 25% local match.
The Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) programme, funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, is used by DEO to complete the local match requirement of the HMGP (HUD).