Governor Ron DeSantis announced a new $23.5 million funding package this week aimed at bolstering infrastructure in three specific Florida jurisdictions. The awards, which draw from both disaster recovery grants and economic development funds, are targeting wastewater repairs in Citrus County and development projects in Levy County and the City of Newberry.
The largest portion of the funding—$16.4 million—is headed to Citrus County. By tapping into the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, the county plans to replace a sanitary sewer system that was heavily impacted by the 2023 and 2024 hurricane seasons.
According to the governor’s office, the system struggled with stormwater intrusion and increased water flow during the storms. The state indicates that repairing and upgrading this network is essential not just for sanitation, but to remove capacity constraints that have hindered business expansion in the area.
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In Alachua County, the City of Newberry secured $5.6 million through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. These funds are earmarked for road and water infrastructure improvements needed to support the Newberry F-300 AgFoodTech Innovation Park.
The investment comes shortly after the park announced its first commercial tenant, Harvest Singularity, a company specializing in hydroponics. State officials project that the site developments will eventually facilitate the creation of 790 new jobs as the region pushes to become a hub for agricultural technology.
Meanwhile, Levy County was awarded $1.5 million to strengthen water infrastructure in Chiefland. The project is viewed as a recovery effort for rural communities—including nearby Cedar Key and Horseshoe Beach—that faced significant damage from Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton.
The infrastructure upgrades are tied to the development of a new shopping center and mixed-use area, which is expected to bring approximately 120 jobs to the region.
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“Florida continues to invest in the infrastructure that keeps our communities strong and competitive,” Governor DeSantis said in a statement regarding the awards. “By improving wastewater capacity in Citrus County, expanding AgTech infrastructure in Newberry, and modernizing utility systems in Levy County, we are ensuring that these communities have the resources they need to attract new jobs.”
Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly noted that reliable utilities are critical for rural communities trying to recover from recent weather events while attempting to build a foundation for long-term economic growth.
According to state data, the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund has awarded more than $297 million to 84 projects since 2019.
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