Gainesville, Fla. – The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) announced grant awards totaling more than $1.3 million in Alachua, the City of High Springs, and Inglis. Grant funding will be used to improve infrastructure, community redevelopment, and job creation in small and rural communities. Awards include $1.35 million through the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and $45,000 through the Community Planning Technical Assistance (CPTA) program. The projects awarded can be found below.

“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 DeSantis. “The more than $1.3 million to these rural areas will help ensure that our small and rural communities have the infrastructure and funding they need to create jobs and strengthen their economic resiliency.”

“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.”

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. More information about the Florida Small Cities CDBG program can be found here.

• City of Alachua ($700,000) – to repave several streets in low-income areas of the city that have become extremely worn and are in critical need of repair.
• Town of Inglis ($650,000) – to replace roofs of three municipal buildings used by town residents, and to repair and overlay several existing asphalt roads throughout town.

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. More information about the CPTA program can be found here.

• City of High Springs ($45,000) – to prepare a Downtown Parking and Stormwater Improvement Plan.

Statewide, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that DEO awarded grants totaling more than $30 million in small and rural Florida communities throughout the state. $29 million was awarded 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. More information can be found here. 

About DEO

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. For more information, including valuable resources for employers and job seekers, please visit www.FloridaJobs.org.

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