Florida Construction News staff writer

Fort Myers Beach has been awarded $11.9 million from the local government emergency bridge loan – the first award.

The program was created to support government operations impacted by hurricanes Ian or Nicole, bridging the gap while they await federal relief or for their revenues recover.

“Through this program, we look forward to connecting more communities with the resources they need to continue operations as they rebuild,” Governor Ron DeSantis said at the presentation. “By presenting Fort Myers Beach with this $11.9 million award just weeks after I signed this new program into law is a testament to our commitment to helping communities impacted by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole recover as quickly as possible.”

“Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ leadership and relentless support of disaster-impacted communities, local governments like the Town of Fort Myers Beach will be able to maintain their government operations as they continue to recover post storm,” said Department of Economic Opportunity Acting Secretary Meredith Ivey. “Our top priority is to continue assisting communities rebuild and recover – we strongly encourage eligible local governments to apply.”

“With this award, we will be able to continue keeping the lights on and keep people working as we work to recover,” said Town of Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers.

The Local government Emergency Bridge Loan is a one-time $50 million appropriation to fund governmental operations within eligible Florida counties and municipalities and bridge the gap between the time of the hurricane and the time additional funding sources or revenues are secured. “Governmental Operations” includes costs associated with continuing, expanding, or modifying local governmental operations to meet disaster-related needs and includes costs such as, but not limited to, staff salaries and payroll.