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THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY IS MAKING $ 8.6 MILLION AVAILABLE FOR RURAL COUNTIES TO GENERATE JOBS THROUGH INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS AND TO DIVERSIFY THEIR ECONOMIES
The department will release those funds through the Rural Infrastructure Fund grant program .
“ Gov . DeSantis and the Florida Legislature continue to champion programs that help Florida ’ s rural communities generate sustainable economic growth through infrastructure , which will attract businesses and support a highly-trained workforce ,” DEO Executive Director Dane Eagle said . “ Our team looks forward to working with Florida ’ s rural communities to help improve the lives of Floridians by investing in and transforming local economies .”
DEO Executive Director Dane Eagle is putting a special emphasis on grants for rural communities .
Funding is available for specific job-creation or job-retention opportunities , including public infrastructure for industrial or commercial sites , broadband access and services , upgrading or developing public tourism infrastructure , and planning and preparing infrastructure . Awards from the grant program may cover up to 50 % of a project ’ s total cost .
Local governments in Calhoun , Gadsden , Holmes , Jackson , Liberty and Washington counties have access to the first $ 5 million . Those six counties , which were impacted by Hurricane Michael , have until Nov . 30 to apply for project funding .
The remaining $ 3.6 million is available to other rural counties through June 20 , 2021 .
OCTOBER 2020 • DITCHMEN 27