Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced $550,000 in Florida Disaster Fund recovery grants to support long-term recovery efforts following Hurricane Idalia.
According to a public statement from Gov. DeSantis, expedited grants in the amount of $50,000 have been awarded to 11 organizations that are designated as Long-Term Recovery Groups (LTRGs). LTRGs help to coordinate long-term recovery services within the communities and connect Floridians with available programs. The Florida Disaster Fund is the State of Florida’s official private fund established to assist Florida’s communities as they respond to and recover after a disaster.
“We will continue to provide support for Floridians as they recover following Hurricane Idalia,” DeSantis said. “Hurricane recovery does not happen in just the days and weeks following a storm, and we will support impacted communities every step of the way.”
“The Volunteer Florida Foundation is pleased to announce the award of Florida Disaster Fund grants that will support long-term efforts in areas still recovering from Hurricane Idalia,” said Volunteer Florida CEO Josie Tamayo. “We are committed to ensuring our communities receive the support necessary to rebuild. Thank you to those who donated to the Florida Disaster Fund and made this support possible.”
The following counties were awarded Florida Disaster Fund long-term recovery grants to support existing projects that help individuals recover from Hurricane Idalia:
- Charlotte ($50,000)
- Citrus ($50,000)
- Hernando ($50,000)
- Jefferson ($50,000)
- Madison ($50,000)
- Pasco ($50,000)
- Pinellas ($50,000)
- Sarasota ($50,000)
- Suwannee Valley (Hamilton, Suwannee, Lafayette, Columbia) ($50,000)
- Taylor ($50,000)
- Tri-County (Gilchrist, Dixie, Levy) ($50,000)
These awards follow more than $1.6 million awarded to education foundations, charitable organizations and local community churches in addition to a $700,000 award to support the shellfish and aquaculture industry and a $100,000 award to support Taylor County workforce and economic development activities following the storm.
