TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) is awarding $4.15 million to six Tallahassee area communities to improve housing, streetscapes, and water and sewer projects in those areas.

In total, DEO is awarding more than $21 million to 32 communities across the state with Small Cities Community Development Block Grants, which assist with economic development, housing rehabilitation, and neighborhood and commercial revitalization. 

DEO Executive Director Jesse Panuccio said, “DEO is committed to helping communities in the Tallahassee area prosper. These grants will improve local infrastructure, which is a critical building block for strong communities and economic development.”

The following projects in the Tallahassee area are recipients of the block grants:

• Town of Greenville: $600,000 to construct a new wastewater treatment system.
• Town of Havana: $650,000 to construct a new water well and other necessary improvements, including aeration for water treatment, a ground storage tank, and waterline improvements to connect the new well to the existing water system.
• City of Perry: $700,000 to make improvements to 1,200 linear feet of pedestrian malls and sidewalks in the city's downtown area.
• City of Monticello: $700,000 to rehabilitate a minimum of 10 housing units that will be brought into compliance with the adopted housing code.
• Suwannee County: $750,000 to rehabilitate a minimum of 11 homes of lower-income residents and provide temporary relocation assistance, as needed, to these residents during the time period their homes are being rehabilitated.
• Wakulla County: $750,000 to rehabilitate a minimum of 11 homes of lower-income residents and provide temporary relocation assistance, as needed, to these residents during the time period their homes are being rehabilitated.

For more information about the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program and details on how to apply, visit www.floridajobs.org/smallcitiescdbg.