Wausau to receive $600k from governor’s office for Community Center renovation

The Town of Wausau is receiving funding from the state to spruce up a local building.

The Washington County community along Highway 77 will get $600,000 to renovate the Rogers Community Center, Governor Ron DeSantis’ office announced Friday, Jan. 19.

“The renovations will include new lighting, wiring, central heating and air conditioning, bathrooms, and a functioning kitchen,” a news release said.

The allocation is part of $2.8 million awarded to five Florida communities through the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for workforce housing and public infrastructure development.

“Today’s awards improve infrastructure in Florida’s small cities to attract new businesses, expand development-ready infrastructure, and support workforce housing,” DeSantis said in a prepared statement. “Through investments like this, we are strengthening future opportunities for Florida’s rural communities and the families that live there.”

Graceville, Calhoun County, Altha, and St. Augustine is also receiving funding.

The Small Cities CDBG program is administered by FloridaCommerce and allocated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

Opportunity Florida, an organization that promotes economic growth in North Florida, issued a news release afterwards praising the funding from DeSantis.

“We are truly blessed that Governor DeSantis is such a strong supporter of rural Florida,” Opportunity Florida Executive Director Richard Williams said. “Both Governor DeSantis and FloridaCommerce Secretary Alex Kelly are providing leadership through action that makes for a brighter future our rural counties.”