Governor Ron DeSantis has introduced $23.5 million in new state funding to assist infrastructure upgrades throughout Citrus County, Levy County, and the Metropolis of Newberry. The awards—a part of the Neighborhood Improvement Block Grant-Catastrophe Restoration (CDBG-DR) and Florida Job Development Grant Fund (JGGF) applications—are geared toward strengthening utility programs, supporting job creation, and boosting native financial resilience.
Citrus County
Citrus County will obtain $16.4 million by way of the CDBG-DR Infrastructure Restore Program to switch sections of its sanitary sewer system broken by hurricanes in 2023 and 2024. The enhancements will develop wastewater capability and deal with long-standing constraints which have restricted progress and enterprise improvement.
Levy County
Levy County has been awarded $1.5 million by way of the Job Development Grant Fund to improve important water infrastructure in Chiefland. The world, which was hit exhausting by Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, can also be getting ready for the event of a brand new purchasing middle anticipated to result in 120 new jobs. The mission will improve water service reliability for close by rural communities equivalent to Horseshoe Seashore and Cedar Key and assist 155 acres of latest retail, resort, and residential improvement.
Metropolis of Newberry
The Metropolis of Newberry will obtain $5.6 million by way of the Job Development Grant Fund to enhance roadway and water infrastructure on the Newberry F-300 AgFoodTech Innovation Park. The mission helps Florida’s fast-growing agricultural know-how sector and follows the announcement of the park’s first tenant, Harvest Singularity, which can create 50 jobs in hydroponics. General, the Newberry infrastructure mission is predicted to assist generate practically 790 new jobs within the space.
State Leaders Spotlight Financial Advantages
“Florida continues to spend money on the infrastructure that retains our communities robust and aggressive,” mentioned Governor DeSantis. “By bettering wastewater capability in Citrus County, increasing AgTech infrastructure in Newberry, and modernizing utility programs in Levy County, we’re making certain that these communities have the sources they should entice new jobs, assist enterprise growth and construct long-term financial resilience.”
Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly mentioned the brand new funding underscores the administration’s give attention to strengthening small and rural communities. “Dependable utilities, up to date wastewater programs, and progressive AgTech hubs are important to serving to Floridians get better from latest storms whereas additionally supporting new industries and establishing a stable financial basis for long-range progress,” Kelly mentioned.
Since 2019, the Florida Job Development Grant Fund has awarded 84 tasks totaling greater than $297 million, creating practically 41,000 jobs and supporting over 30,000 workforce schooling alternatives statewide.
