On Thursday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced $900,000 in funding for infrastructure projects in two rural communities in Northeast Florida.
Administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF) provides funding to local governments for infrastructure projects in rural communities to encourage job creation and business investment and to strengthen and diversify rural economies.
“Rural communities are vital to the development and growth of Florida’s economy and I’m committed to helping them thrive,” said DeSantis. “Infrastructure improvements made available through the Rural Infrastructure Fund will help rural communities be able to attract businesses and provide more resilient infrastructure for the future of their local economy.”
The rural communities receiving funds include:
Columbia County – ($500,000) to assist in funding the construction of a natural gas main loop that will serve existing and new businesses along the Bell Road Corridor. This project will provide necessary infrastructure to the existing distribution center and allow for expansion of the transportation logistics industry in this vital development area. The project is expected to attract more than $1 million in capital investment in Columbia County and create an estimated 43 new jobs.
Town of White Springs – ($400,000) to help fund construction, engineering and inspection services to improve sewer system transmission capabilities and correct issues that caused overflows during Hurricane Irma to the Town of White Spring’s more than 40-year-old core sewer system.
