Governor Ron DeSantis Announces
More Than $3 Million Awarded
to Improve Infrastructure
and Workforce Training in
Small and Rural Communities
On February 27, 2019, in News Releases, by Staff
Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis
announced more than $3 million in funding through
programs from the Florida Department of Economic
Opportunity (DEO) for infrastructure and workforce
training in small and rural Florida communities,
including several affected by Hurricane Michael.
These funds are being awarded primarily through
the Florida Small Cities Community Development
Block Grant, which is a partnership between the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development
and DEO.
Infrastructure development and
maintenance is critical to rebuilding and
growing more resilient communities…
—GOVERNOR DESANTIS
“Infrastructure development and maintenance
is critical to rebuilding and growing more resilient
communities,” said Governor DeSantis. “Every
dollar counts, so we will continue to utilize
all available resources to help communities in
the Florida Panhandle impacted by Hurricane
Michael recover.”
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DITCHMEN • MARCH 2019
The projects awarded through the Florida
Small Cities Community Development Block
Grant program include the following:
• C
ity of Blountstown – ($700,000) for the
replacement of water lines, installation of new
sewer lines and construction of new storm water
facilities.
• C
ity of DeFuniak Springs – ($700,000) for
the replacement of sewer lines, installation of
manholes and replacing the chlorine analyzer
of the water treatment plant.
• C
ity of Lawtey – ($600,000) to improve the
existing water distribution and related fire
protection system within 10 service areas.
• C
ity of Port St. Joe – ($511,500) for
the replacement of sewer lines and repaving
of streets.
Additionally, the Jackson County School Board,
in partnership with CareerSource Chipola and the
Tri-County Community Action Agency, is receiving
$500,000 to create a Building Construction
Technology program. This program will help
generate skilled labor in the construction industry