Resilient SRQ Invites Public Entities to Apply for the Infrastructure and Public Facilities and Dredging of Major Waterways Programs

Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC

 

SARASOTA COUNTY – Public entities in Sarasota County can now apply for the Resilient SRQ Infrastructure and Public Facilities Program and the Dredging of Major Waterways Program.

The application period is now open through Oct. 17. Projects must meet U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requirements for funding consideration. Applications must be submitted online. There is one application process for both programs.

The Infrastructure and Public Facilities Program has $57 million available to repair, replace and enhance public infrastructure to mitigate future disaster risks and address urgent community needs. Of this, $27.2 million may be used for mitigation projects that increase community resilience to future disasters.

The Dredging of Major Waterways Program has $30 million available to address infrastructure needs by enhancing flood mitigation, water flow and community resilience. Projects may support rivers, bays, creeks or canals that receive and carry stormwater drainage from a large area or have continuous flow.

These programs aim to address the remaining recovery needs following the 2024 storms Debby, Helene and Milton. This funding is part of Sarasota County’s $210 million allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding.

An information session on both programs for interested public entities will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 10 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at 301 N. Cattlemen Road, Suite 200, Sarasota. Interested participants may register online.

Infrastructure and Public Facilities Program HUD Requirements:

·        Serve low- and moderate-income individuals.

·        Directly tie to a 2024 storm or qualify as a mitigation-only project.

·        Rehabilitate or construct public facilities.

Dredging of Major Waterways Program HUD Requirements:

·        Be in Sarasota County.

·        Directly tie to a 2024 storm.

·        Benefit a low-and moderate-income area (an area that benefits at least 51% low-and moderate-income individuals) or address an urgent need (conditions that pose a serious and immediate threat to public health or safety).

 

The steps below summarize the application and project selection process:

  1. Public entities must submit an application to be considered.
  2. Staff review and score applications according to the Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners–approved scoring criteria.
  3. The Sarasota County Commissioners review and make the final selection of projects for approval.
  4. Approved projects enter into an agreement with the county outlining project-specific requirements.

Additional information can be found below:

Resilient SRQ originally launched the Hurricane Ian Infrastructure and Public Facilities Program in February 2024, with $77.2 million awarded to 26 projects that have been awarded by the Sarasota County Commission. More information about these projects is on the website.