Live Oak Awarded $4.5M
As part of the CDBG program

Governor Ron DeSantis during the press conference in Arcadia.
-Courtesy Photo

More than $38 million in awards going to 19 small and rural Florida communities

By Tami Stevenson

As part of the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, Governor DeSantis announced, during a press conference last Thursday, that more than $38 million in awards were going to 19 small and rural Florida communities.     

     Among the awards, the City of Live Oak received $4.5 million - including $3 million for potable water system improvements and $1.5 million to rehabilitate or replace 21 homes for lower-income households.     

The following awards were also made to rehabilitate or replace homes for low-income families in the following counties:

$1.5 million each to Hamilton County and Lafayette County

$1.2 million to Columbia County

$950,000 to Madison County

$900,000 to Hendry County

$850,000 to St. Lucie County

$750,000 to Levy County

Other awards include:

City of Arcadia ($6.4 million) - to upgrade the William Tyson Wastewater Treatment Plant, benefiting nearly 8,000 residents.

City of Florida City ($5.9 million) – for wastewater system upgrades across nine service areas, benefiting nearly 12,000 residents.

City of Webster ($2.89 million) - for a new master lift station and emergency generator.

City of Lake Butler ($2.8 million) - to replace undersized wastewater pipes with 15,000 feet of new force main.

City of Port St. Joe ($1.7 million) - for neighborhood infrastructure improvements, including underground utilities, sidewalks, and landscaping.

City of Green Cove Springs ($1.2 million) - for stormwater improvements.

City of Blountstown ($1 million) - to replace aging water and sewer lines and improve streets.

Liberty County ($1 million) - to improve Veterans Memorial Park.

Santa Rosa County ($1 million) - for retention pond construction at Whiting Aviation Park, creating 10 new jobs and retaining 19 jobs.

Town of Esto ($949,000) - for water plant improvements and water line replacements.

Town of Malone ($912,000) - to expand and renovate Johnny Williams Memorial Park

     “Our state’s small and rural cities drive key industries, support Florida families, and keep our economy moving,” said Governor Ron DeSantis.

     The Florida Small Cities CDBG program, funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered by FloridaCommerce, provides critical resources to municipalities and counties. Since 2019, Florida has awarded more than $138 million to over 120 communities through this program.