Jacob Ogles
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced $240,000 in new grants to communities in six rural counties in Florida.
The Competitive Florida Partnership grant awards, administered by the state Department of Economic Opportunity, provide funding for strategic economic development.
“Rural communities across the state should be able to attract businesses, support a highly-trained workforce, and generate sustainable economic growth – while still highlighting what makes them unique,” DeSantis said.
“Competitive Florida allows these communities to create the blueprint to achieve their economic goals.”
Grants, each worth $40,000, go to the cities of Crestview (in Okaloosa County), Fort Meade (in Polk), LaBelle (in Hendry), Midway (in Gadsen) and Okeechobee (in Okeechobee), as well as the community of Panacea (in Wakulla).
The money is expected to be spent on the creation of strategic economic plans. Those will promote community design, economic diversity, economic viability and disaster resiliency in the communities.
The DEO also committed with the grants to provide technical support and guide the communities with planning efforts.
“The Competitive Florida Partnership Program showcases the best of community and state partnerships,” said Ken Lawson, executive director for the DEO.
“These grants allow Florida communities to take the first steps to make their economic development visions a reality to see their communities prosper for generations.”
The grants will land in low-density counties scattered throughout Florida. Communities were chosen based on their economic needs and community support for the partnerships, said officials said.
“Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature continue to champion programs that help Florida’s rural communities thrive,” Lawson said.
That said, three of those grants ended up in counties surrounding Lake Okeechobee.
That’s an area that should see a boost in commerce by another state government decision this year. The Legislature approved a plan to build the Heartland Parkway connecting from Polk to Collier counties.
