14 DAY PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), Community Development Block Grant Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) Rebuild Florida Critical Facility Hardening Program (CFHP)
Wakulla County will be making application for two projects seeking CDBG-MIT CFHP funding as discussed below, and is seeking public comment on the two projects beginning at 8:00 AM EST TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2020, and ending 5:00 PM EST TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2020
Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), Community Development Block Grant Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) Rebuild Florida Critical Facility Hardening Program (CFHP)
Wakulla County will be making application for two projects seeking CDBG-MIT CFHP funding as discussed below, and is seeking public comment on the two projects beginning at 8:00 AM EST TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2020, and ending 5:00 PM EST TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2020
DEO received a total of $633 Million in CDBG-MIT funding for eligible entities impacted by Hurricanes Hermine (2016), Matthew (2106), and/or Irma (2017), pursuant to the State’s Mitigation Action Plan. Sixty-one of Florida’s 67 counties were impacted by these hurricanes, including Wakulla County. Three separate grant programs fall under the CDBG-MIT program (the CFHP, Planning Program and Infrastructure Program), and each program is allocated a percentage of the total CDBG-MIT funds as well as having different guidelines and application process.
DEO allocated $75 Million to the CFHP program to mitigate existing critical facilities, which are defined as (existing) facilities serving a public safety purpose. Funds cannot be used for new construction or furnishings. This is a competitive grant program based on a scoring system. Applications are due June 30, 2020. On May 18, 2020, the Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners (Board) approved staff making applications to the CDBG-MIT CFHP seeking funding for the following two projects:
#1 Community Center Gym – hard coating the existing gym so that it can be used as pre-and post-disaster event Shelter. Estimated cost is $250,000.00 for professional engineering services, permitting and construction.
#2 Trice Lane Fire/EMS Station - hard coating the existing facility so that it can maintain continuity of operations during and after a disaster event. Estimated cost is $250,000.00 for professional engineering services, permitting and construction.
The Board is seeking public input on the two CDBG-MIT CFHP proposed projects. All comments must be written and received by e-mail to SKEELER@MYWAKULLA.COM or US mail to Wakulla BOCC, Attention: Sheree Keeler, PO Box 1263, Crawfordville, Florida 32327. All comments must be received no later than 5:00 PM EST on Tuesday, June 9, 2020.
Additional information on the CDBG-MIT CFHP is available on the DEO website at https://floridajobs.org/rebuildflorida/mitigation.