On July 13, 2021, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) announced grant awards totaling more than $6 million in the Tampa area.
Grant funding will be used to renovate infrastructure, boost redevelopment, and revitalize job creation in small and rural communities.
Awards include $4.95 million through the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, $324,500 through the Community Planning Technical Assistance (CPTA) program, and $35,000 through the Competitive Florida partnership.
“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 ron DeSantis. “The more than $5.3 million to the Tampa 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.”
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.
Here are the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant grantees:
- City of Bowling Green ($700,000) – to renovate the wastewater treatment plant, provide water flow and pressure to the city’s potable water distribution system, replace the sewer line, and rehabilitate the wastewater collection system’s maintenance holes;
- Town of Lake Placid ($700,000) – to replace a predominately asbestos cement water main to increase the safety and reliability of the potable water service;
- City of New Port Richey ($750,000) – to repair or replace a minimum of 11 low- and moderate-income, homeowner-occupied housing units all of which will be located within the city limits. This project will replace substandard housing and remove unhealthy or hazardous conditions;
- City of Fort Meade ($700,000) – to revitalize the city’s commercial district by installing crosswalks, pavers, planters, irrigation, street lighting, and a fire hydrant. This will improve the economic environment for existing merchants and drawing new businesses;
- City of Lake Wales ($750,000) – to rehabilitate or demolish and replace at least 11 substandard low- and moderate-income, owner-occupied households. Temporary relocation assistance will be provided;
- City of Polk City ($650,000) – to repave several streets and construct new sidewalks; and
- City of Dade City ($700,000) – to improve parks and playgrounds in three low- and moderate-income service areas. Naomi Jones Park will receive shade covers for playground equipment. Community Park and Watson Park will both receive Americans with Disabilities Act accessible playground equipment.
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.
Here are the Community Planning Technical Assistance grantees:
- City of Tampa ($50,000) – to develop a Neighborhood Commercial District Plan for a neighborhood commercial corridor in the city;
- City of Temple Terrace ($50,000) – to create a Complete Streets and Safety Action Plan for three main corridors;
- City of New Port Richey ($25,000) – to repair or replace a minimum of 11 low- and moderate-income, homeowner-occupied housing units all of which will be located within the city limits. This project will replace substandard housing and remove unhealthy or hazardous conditions;
- City of Treasure Island ($50,000) – to prepare a Resiliency Measures Implementation Manual to encourage development within the city;
- City of Frostproof ($20,000) – to update the city’s economic development plan and to create Chamber of Commerce resources to help retain existing businesses and attract new businesses and visitors;
- City of Haines City ($39,500) – to prepare a Wastewater Treatment Plant evaluation and protection plan and to create a Technical Memorandum that evaluates the existing Wastewater Treatment Plant process;
- City of Winter Haven ($40,000) – to update the Downtown Community Redevelopment Plan; and
- Central Florida Regional Planning Council ($50,000) – to develop a master plan for Hardee County’s parks and recreation, open space, trails, and to draft comprehensive plan amendments.
Competitive Florida Partnership:
The City of Zephyrhills (Pasco County) received $35,000 from the Competitive Florida Partnership, which funds the development of economic strategies through innovative planning, which focuses on economic growth, diversity, community design, and disaster preparedness.
Statewide, 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.
“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.”
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.
Photo of Tampa by Michelle Raponi from Pixabay.