Florida Construction News staff writer
More than $6 million has been awarded to nine communities that were impacted by Hurricane Idalia. Funding is from the Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF) program and the Florida Disaster Fund.
A total of $5.3 million will go to projects to strengthen public infrastructure and expand job opportunities for employers and families in rural communities. Also, $1 million is dedicated to the Hurricane Idalia home repair program through FloridaCommerce.
“The Big Bend region experienced devasting damage due to Hurricane Idalia and FloridaCommerce continues to ensure that communities have the help they need through resources like the RIF Program,”said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “By setting aside funds for impacted communities, we are committed to staying proactive and ensuring that communities can continue growing as they recoup what was lost.”
The $1 million Florida Disaster Fund award will accelerate recovery for Floridians who lost their homes or experienced extensive damage from Hurricane Idalia and will be prioritized for low-to-moderate income homeowners who no longer carry insurance in the hardest hit counties to assist them in returning to “decent, safe, and sanitary” homes.
Funding will go to:
- Cedar Key Water & Sewer District – $2.5 million to rehabilitate 17 lift stations, including raising control panels above storm surge levels to safeguard essential water and sewer services for the community and local industries.
- City of Live Oak – $600,000 to design and install a gravity sewer collection system and water services along the 68th Terrace corridor to support current and future commercial developments, including an immediate commercial development.
- Lafayette County – $400,000 to construct a 3,000 square foot commercial building in the Industrial Park in Lafayette County.
- Town of Cross City – $337,721 to evaluate three potable wells, including addressing declining water quality and developing recommendations for repair or improvements.
- Taylor County – $304,500 to construct new concrete infrastructure and install a 15,000-gallon aviation fuel tank system at the Perry-Foley Airport.
- City of Monticello – $300,000 to complete planning, design, and permitting for Phase 1 of Monticello’s I-10 & SR-19 Sewer Transmission System Improvements, focusing on rehabilitating or replacing two critical lift stations.
- City of Perry – $300,000 to conduct a study on stormwater management throughout the city to address stormwater at the Gram’s Legacy Grove Site and provide preliminary engineering for water, wastewater, and natural gas.
- City of Jasper – $300,000 to conduct a comprehensive Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Survey to systematically investigate, televise and map the entire sewer collection system, including gravity sewers and lift stations.
- Town of Lee – $290,000 to analyze and develop design plans to improve the existing water and sanitary sewer systems serving the CR255 corridor and the developing Madison County Industrial Park.