Washington County receives $3.4 million grant from state

Washington County was one of nine rural communities that will receive significant funding through the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

Specifically, Washington County is getting $3.482 million to construct roadway access, water improvements, fire protection, public parking improvements, and improvements to a railroad spur, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office announced in a news release on Oct. 6. 

“The infrastructure project is expected to produce 100 new full-time jobs,†the news release said. 

More than $8.7 million in total was awarded to the nine communities, which included $440,764 to Blountstown for street repaving and drainage improvements and $649,881 to Bristol for water line replacements.

DeSantis said four of the awarded areas are “actively recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Idalia.â€

“”Strategic investments like these help expand economic opportunities for families and strengthen our rural communities,†DeSantis said.