Phil Ammann
Northwest Florida counties are going to finally get a share of money given to the state for damages related to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Gov. Rick Scott on Friday signed a bill (HB 7007) that guarantees the distribution of $300 million to eight counties hardest hit by the spill.
In 2010, an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil platform, leased by energy giant BP, killed 11 workers and caused a blow-out that began spewing oil into the Gulf of Mexico.
Under a settlement, Florida is to receive $2 billion for economic losses.
Florida received its first payment nearly a year ago, but the fate of the money remained in limbo. House Republicans were adamant that the money could not be used on incentives to lure new businesses to the region.
Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
