Politics
Gov. DeSantis awards $168M to rural communities for infrastructure improvements
The state is giving nearly $168 million to small and rural counties, primarily to improve infrastructure in areas hit hard by hurricanes last year, Gov. Ron DeSantis said.
One of the biggest winners was Taylor County in the Big Bend region, which will receive $36 million out of the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery and the Rural Infrastructure Fund. Taylor will get $4.9 million for a special needs ceremony, the Governor highlighted.
The city of Perry in Taylor County, will receive $12 million for a new parallel treatment train, $8.5 million to replace current wastewater infrastructure, and $4.5 million to create an independent water source, according to DeSantis.
Meanwhile Doctors’ Memorial Hospital in Perry will receive $4.4 million to install a facility emergency power system, replace the phone and communication system and modernize the facility’s water treatment system.
“All these different things, huge for Perry, Taylor County Commissioners,” DeSantis said.
Cross City will get $32 million to build a new waste water treatment plant and another $5.7 million to upgrade stormwater drains.
The Governor said $7.3 million is earmarked to construct and harden the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District potable water system, while $4.5 million is for the Big Bend Water Authority to repair and replace critical water mains in Steinhatchee
Other grants ranged from $100,000 up to a few million dollars.
“Every single one of these grants is a partnership and a relationship with a community, if not several partners in that community,” FloridaCommerce Secretary Alex Kelly said while speaking next to DeSantis.
DeSantis joked that he was awarding so many grants, it was impossible for him to bring his giant ceremonial mock checks that he normally hands out at press ceremonies.
“There’s too many awards,” DeSantis said. “I’d be taking pictures until dinnertime. I can’t, I’ve got to get back. I’ve got meetings.”
At Wednesday’s press conference, DeSantis made splashier political news by announcing he plans to call an April Special Session on congressional reapportionment. DeSantis also teased another Special Session focused on eliminating property taxes.