Local municipalities using social media, email to encourage U.S. Census participation

Households have until Sept. 30 to complete their U.S. Census questionnaires, which determine how billions of dollars in federal spending is distributed and how many congressional districts each state gets. With less than two months remaining for households to respond to the U.S. Census, local municipalities are ramping up efforts to encourage residents to complete their questionnaires. In…

Clearwater Launches Restaurant Aid Program

CLEARWATER, FL — The city of Clearwater’s Community Redevelopment Agency has launched a new voucher program to spur downtown dining and the heart of Cleveland Street will remain closed to vehicle traffic to offer more room for distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The CRA’s new pilot program is a limited time, limited quantity voucher program…

Rural Communities Funding Opportunities

Business and Industry (B&I) CARES Act Program USDA is making available up to $1 billion in loan guarantees to help rural businesses meet their working capital needs during the coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, agricultural producers that are not eligible for USDA Farm Service Agency loans may receive funding under USDA B&I CARES Act Program provisions included in the…

DEP’s Coastal Partnership Initiative Grant Program is Accepting Applications

  The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Coastal Management Program announces the opening of the Coastal Partnership Initiative funding opportunity for Fiscal Year 2021-22. Funding is available for Florida’s 35 coastal counties.  Any municipalities within the designated county boundaries, and which are required to include a coastal element in their local comprehensive plan, are eligible.…

HUD Approves DEO’s Action Plan for $735 Million to Help Florida Recover From Hurricane Michael

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) announced on Monday that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has approved the state of Florida’s Action Plan for more than $735 million in funding for long-term recovery efforts for Hurricane Michael-impacted communities. Hurricane Michael hit the state in October 2018. The funds are allocated through HUD’s Community Development Block Grant-Disaster…

FFY 2019 Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Notice of Funding Availability

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) is pleased to announce the availability of funding for non-entitlement units of local government under the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. DEO will make Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2019 funding available for the Neighborhood Revitalization, Housing Rehabilitation, Commercial Revitalization and Economic Development program areas.…

Applications Available for City of Fort Lauderdale Community Redevelopment Agency Emergency Business Investment Program

Forgivable Loans Offered to Provide COVID-19 Relief for Businesses in Northwest and Central City CRAs Fort Lauderdale, July 15, 2020 – The City of Fort Lauderdale Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) announces an Emergency Business Investment Program designed to provide relief for businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will provide forgivable financing to eligible…

Third historical home added to Pioneer Park

PORT ST. LUCIE – The members of the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency expressed elation June 22 with a progress update of the Riverwalk extension and the possibility of adding a third historical home to Westmoreland Boulevard’s new Pioneer Park in their goal of finally creating the city’s namesake port. CRA Project Manager Jennifer Davis provided…