Five Florida communities awarded grants for housing, infrastructure

FLORIDA — A combined $2.8 million has been awarded to the Town of Altha, Calhoun County, City of Graceville, City of St. Augustine, and Town of Wausau for workforce housing and public infrastructure improvements.

The awards are through the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for workforce housing and public infrastructure development.

“Today’s awards improve infrastructure in Florida’s small cities to attract new businesses, expand development-ready infrastructure, and support workforce housing,” said Governor Ron DeSantis.

“Through investments like this, we are strengthening future opportunities for Florida’s rural communities and the families that live there.”

Here’s the breakdown of the grants and how the funds will be used:

— Town of Altha: $600,000 to replace 2,075 linear feet of waterlines along County Road 274 and Broad Street and to conduct improvements to Altha Park, including a new playground, batting cage, and overall park improvements.

— Calhoun County: $750,000 to conduct 4,360 linear feet of sidewalk replacement as well as drainage and 70 linear feet of roadway improvements within county limits.

— City of Graceville: $650,000 to conduct improvements to Tiger Park, including a new splash pad, new restrooms, a new picnic pavilion, and new playground equipment.

— City of St. Augustine: $247,365 to renovate five 100-year-old homes and repair up to nine other homes for homeless families.

— Town of Wausau: $600,000 to renovate the Rogers Community Center. The renovations will include new lighting, wiring, central heating and air conditioning, bathrooms, and a functioning kitchen.

Florida has invested $95 million in 132 community development projects for Florida communities since 2019.

For more information about the Florida Small Cities CDBG program, please visit www.FloridaJobs.org/SmallCitiesCDBG.