STEINHACHEE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced an additional $167.5 million in grants for infrastructure improvements in 34 small rural communities across the state. These awards were made possible through funding through the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Infrastructure Repair Program, support for areas affected by Hurricanes Idalia, Debbie, Helen, and Milton in 2023 and 2024, and the North Florida Tornadoes in 2024, and funding from the Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF).
“Today, I announced funding for critical infrastructure projects in 34 small, rural communities in Florida,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “These awards, totaling $167.5 million, will strengthen long-term recovery efforts in areas hit by major storms in 2023 and 2024. These investments will also help ensure our rural areas remain competitive, resilient, and full of opportunity for Florida families.”
“As the No. 1 state in the nation for attracting and developing a skilled workforce and higher education, as evidenced by the creation of more than 70,000 jobs in the private sector in 2025, Florida is providing the resources needed to help job creators and job seekers succeed and rural communities impacted by the storm to build back smarter and stronger,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “For many of the communities hardest hit by the 2023 and 2024 storms, these projects are more than just infrastructure repairs, they are investments in the foundations of everyday life. By repairing damaged stormwater systems, repairing overwhelmed wastewater treatment plants, and strengthening services that Floridians rely on every day, we will help rural communities return to normal operations while strengthening their long-term economic resilience.”
Nearly 590,000 new businesses were created in 2025 alone, more than any other state, and Florida has recorded more than 4 million new businesses since 2019. In November 2025, total private employment increased by 70,100 jobs (+0.8%) over the year. The jobs that support these new businesses support these new businesses.
These important numbers confirm that Florida’s continued investments in workforce development, talent attraction, and critical infrastructure, combined with strong fiscal discipline, improve Florida’s position to withstand national economic headwinds, enable job creators and job seekers to find opportunities for success, and enable communities hardest hit by disasters to rebuild and get back on their feet economically.
Florida’s strategic investments in workforce development and critical infrastructure, as well as pro-business policies, have led to Florida being ranked the No. 1 economy in the nation three years in a row by CNBC and two years in a row by U.S. News & World Report. Florida also has a reputation for attracting and developing a talented workforce, earning the No. 1 ranking in that category by Rightcast and No. 1 in higher education for 10 consecutive years. Since the onset of COVID-19, Florida has continued to expand its workforce across the board and now has a record 11.2 million workers, keeping the state’s unemployment rate (4.2%) below the national average (4.6%) for 61 straight months.
Taylor County will receive approximately $36 million in awards through the Community Development Block Grant Program and Rural Infrastructure Fund.
City of Perry $12 million – to build new parallel processing trains to enhance operational resiliency and safety during future storms. $8,500,000 – Replace current wastewater infrastructure, install modern equipment, manage capacity, ensure regulatory compliance, and strengthen system resiliency during future storms. $4,500,000 – Create a resilient, independent water source by restoring capacity and increasing reliability of a tertiary well that directly serves the City of Perry in the event a major treatment facility or water line is compromised during a hurricane. $1,050,000 to the Taylor County Board of County Commissioners – to repair and reconstruct residential roads in Steinhatchee to alleviate recurrent flooding and prevent future runoff. $4,969,425 – To construct the Taylor County Special Needs Emergency Shelter. $298,440 – Through the Rural Infrastructure Fund, to determine the best location available in Steinhatchee for the construction of much-needed infrastructure for commercial seafood offloading, processing and distribution facilities. Doctors Memorial Hospital of Taylor County ($4,431,981) – Install a facility-wide emergency power system, replace the hospital’s telephone and communications system, and modernize the facility’s water treatment system through the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Mitigation Program.
Additional Community Development Block Grants were awarded to:
Jackson County Board of County Commissioners ($3,260,000) – Adds new wells, pumping equipment, and water storage systems needed to provide emergency services to Jackson County.
The following communities will also receive funding through the 2023 and 2024 Storms Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Infrastructure Repair Program:
Big Bend Water District ($4,514,185) – Repair and replacement of critical water mains in Steinhatchee, Florida and Jena, Florida. Cedar Key Water and Sewer District $7,349,280 – For the construction and enhancement of the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District’s drinking water system. $4,124,017 – To enhance the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District Wastewater Treatment Facility. City of Carabelle ($2,569,775) – Repair damage and enhance Carabelle’s sanitary sewage collection and treatment system. City of Gretna ($7,156,377) – Repair and upgrade the city’s production wells, which are the foundation of the city’s water supply system. City of Monticello ($14,158,044) – Repair or replace aging lift stations and main power, install permanent backup generators at critical locations, elevate and strengthen electrical and mechanical components, and integrate system monitoring to improve storm response. City of Port St. Joe ($25 million) – Rebuild and strengthen wastewater treatment facilities by upgrading current infrastructure. Gilchrist County Board of County Commissioners ($1,298,634) – To install a modern drainage system that is underperforming or damaged from past storms. Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners ($1,200,000) – To rehabilitate Hamilton County’s only shelter and provide needed improvements. Lafayette County Board of County Commissioners ($1,382,403) – Repair and enhance drainage and road systems that serve residents, school buses, agricultural vehicles, and emergency vehicles. Levy County Board of County Commissioners $1,107,015 – To eliminate serious safety hazards, restore access to essential recreation and tourism, and increase the resiliency of this vulnerable coastal region. $358,000 – Complete a fire emergency response and control project to ensure reliable emergency services in one of the county’s most vulnerable and hazard-prone areas. Liberty County Board of County Commissioners ($1,500,000) – Improve, repair, and repave the Bristol Boat Ramp to ensure safe access, reduce environmental damage, and strengthen long-term resiliency. Madison County Board of County Commissioners ($8 million) – To construct a Madison County Special Needs Facility at the Madison County Emergency Operations Shelter. City of Cross City $32,062,208 – Build a new wastewater treatment facility and rehabilitate the city’s sewer system. $5,708,267 – Improve and upgrade stormwater drainage by installing oval reinforced concrete piping along the street and further collecting stormwater into the main drainage ditch along Route 19. Wakulla County Board of Commissioners ($2,822,481) – Design and construction of a project to line the central sewer system in the Panacea Shores unit residential subdivision with manholes, gravity sewers, and connections.
The RIF program supports infrastructure projects that create jobs, stimulate capital investment, and strengthen the economies of Rural Opportunity Areas (RAOs), rural counties, and rural communities. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the Florida Legislature allocated $22 million, with $17 million for RIF statewide programs and $5 million for Panhandle-specific programs. FloridaCommerce received a record 112 applications requesting more than $195 million in funding during the 2025-2026 RIF application period. Since 2019, the program has awarded more than $110 million in grants.
The following communities will receive funding through the Rural Infrastructure Fund program:
City of Blountstown ($200,000) – Implement improvements aimed at reducing stormwater and groundwater input and infiltration into the municipal wastewater collection system. City of Gretna ($700,000) – Construct a new road extension to serve as an access route to green space designated for commercial development. City of Marianna ($1,441,500) – Infrastructure improvements to the Marianna Airport to support maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) company maintenance, expansion, and investment. Franklin County ($176,100) – Create the first master site plan for Apalachicola Airport and support business development for aerospace and airline companies that require hangar space and runways for their operations. Hamilton County ($300,000) – Construct a new building at the Alapaha Commerce Center, providing a flexible, move-in-ready facility designed to attract logistics, distribution and advanced manufacturing companies. Madison County Board of County Commissioners ($105,000) – Develop a master plan for the Madison County Industrial Park, including the necessary plans, market studies, and utility assessments to guide future business outreach by the Madison County Development Council. Town of Jennings ($300,000) – To complete the planning, design and permitting of new production wells and significant improvements and upgrades to the existing water treatment plant. City of Ponce de Leon ($1,500,000) – For critical renovation of Lift Station #3 and replacement of the main force serving the Interstate 10 and State Route 81 interchange. Ensure reliable public services, strengthen infrastructure resilience, and enable long-term economic development for communities. Washington County Board of County Commissioners ($3,500,000) – Stabilize and improve Holmes Valley Road, providing critical access to Old Shores Resort and Golf Club and creating approximately 90 new jobs.
Governor DeSantis previously awarded $311 million in infrastructure improvements to 37 communities in Florida. These awards follow on from previous announcements and will invest in critical infrastructure needs, from public facilities and transportation improvements to emergency operations resources for these communities, and specifically support investments in critical water infrastructure across the state.
Click here to learn more about the 2023 and 2024 Storm Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Infrastructure Repair Program.
Click here to learn more about the Rural Infrastructure Fund.
