Multiple North Central Florida communities received awards on Thursday to improve infrastructure impacted by the 2023 and 2024 storms.

According to a press release from the governor’s office, 37 Florida communities, which include 32 rural counties and small cities, split $311 million in awards from funding through both the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Infrastructure Repair Program, helping communities impacted by the 2023 and 2024 Storms—Hurricanes Idalia, Debby, Helene, Milton and the 2024 North Florida Tornadoes and funding from the Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF).

Local entities receiving funds included Bradford, Columbia, Suwannee and Union counties, the cities of Live Oak and Lake City, the Keystone Heights Airport Authority and Santa Fe College in Gainesville.

These awards invest in infrastructure needs that range from utility and transportation improvements to emergency operations resources—especially supporting critical water infrastructure investments.

“Today in Highlands County, I was proud to announce $311 million in grant awards to improve infrastructure in 37 communities across Florida impacted by the major storms of 2023 and 2024—Hurricanes Idalia, Debby, Helene, Milton and the North Florida Tornadoes,” said Gov. Ron DeSantis in the press release. “These infrastructure projects will help make Florida more prosperous, more resilient, and better prepared to weather any storms that may come our way.”

The following communities will receive funds through the 2023 and 2024 Storms Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Infrastructure Repair Program:

• Bradford County Board of County Commissioners ($5,951,403) – to structurally reinforce the roadway by adding base, pavement and re-establish the roadside swales by regrading and adding erosion protection.
• City of Live Oak ($3,895,500) – to construct a 100,000-gallon water storage tank and support a water line loop project.  
• Columbia County Board of County Commissioners ($4,000,000) – to upgrade and harden community shelters in Columbia County.  
• Santa Fe College ($5,000,000) – to repair and upgrade the campus gymnasium due to significant roof damage from the 2023 and 2024 Storms.  
• Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners ($38,044,115) – to construct the North Florida Regional Special Needs Emergency Shelter.   
• Union County Board of County Commissioners ($1,401,750) – to construct a hardened public safety communications tower and upgrade the county’s current emergency dispatch system.  

In addition to the $400 million in IRP funding, an allotment of $50 million has been allocated by HUD to eligible counties and municipalities located in 2023 and 2024 Storms’ Most Impacted and Distressed (MID) areas affected by Hurricane Ian.

The following communities will receive funds through the Rural Infrastructure Fund Program: 

• City of Lake City ($1,788,415) – to replace a hangar at the Lake City Gateway Airport, significantly damaged by Hurricane Idalia.  
• Columbia County Board of County Commissioners ($2,000,000) – to construct an inbound and outbound rail track serving the North Florida Mega Industrial Park.  
• Keystone Heights Airport Authority ($2,950,450) – to construct a runway extension to Runway 2.   

“These awards directly support job creation by providing communities with the critical infrastructure to embolden their vision for resiliency and business formation,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly in the press release. “Whether it’s upgrading utilities, developing pad-ready manufacturing sites, or improving essential services, these projects help small and rural communities attract job creators, bolster their workforce and build a thriving economic future.”

For more information on the Rebuild Florida 2023 and 2024 Storms Infrastructure Repair Program, click here.

For more information on the Rural Infrastructure Fund, click here.