Gov. DeSantis announces $79.8M in South Florida infrastructure grants

Nearly $40M assigned for Miami flooding mitigation

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks in Port Everglades, Jan. 28, 2022. (Copyright 2022 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday handed off six checks totaling $79.8 million for infrastructure resiliency projects in South Florida.

Speaking at a Port Everglades cruise terminal in Hollywood, the governor said the latest disbursement for such projects was enabled through the Resilient Florida Grant Program, established in 2021.

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“One of the things we’ve really made a lot of headway on and we’re going to continue to do is bolstering Florida’s resiliency as a storm-prone state. We need to make sure that we’re mitigating the effects of these weather events,” DeSantis said.

About half of the nearly $80 million was given to the city of Miami, comprising of grants for $19.8 million and $18.4 million to fund improvements of storm water infrastructure in the southwest Wynwood area and East Little Havana, respectively.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez hold up checks that will fund two major infrastructure projects. (WPLG)

Here’s a breakdown of where Friday’s grants are headed:

  • $16.6 million, Broward County - Storm water drainage system project to maximize natural treatment of runoff to reduce algal bloom-feeding nutrients in waterways.
  • $14.8 million, Hallandale Beach - Sewer system modernization to increase system capacity by rehabilitating lift stations, building two new force mains, improving reliability.
  • $3.2 million, North Lauderdale - New storm water pump station facility adjacent to the Cypress Creek (C14) Canal to mitigate impacts of heavy rainfall and tidal events on the canal and regional drainage system.
  • $19.8 million, Miami - Storm water infrastructure in the southwest Wynwood area.
  • $18.4 million, Miami - Storm water infrastructure in East Little Havana to alleviate repetitive flooding.
  • $7 million, Opa-locka - Community flood protection involving storm water management, renovation of the 127th Avenue canal to expand depth and stabilize bank.