From buying flood-prone property to expanding stormwater storage, more than $49.5 million in grants that the Volusia County Council approved on Tuesday will focus in part on making the county a drier place.
The County Council voted 6-0 to draw the grants from a pot of federal funds dedicated to Hurricane Ian recovery, which is part of the county’s Transform386 program. The funds are coming from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“The (close to) $50 million will be combined with nearly $30 million from the applicants for a total investment of approximately $80 million to strengthen stormwater systems, protect neighborhoods, and improve resilience throughout Volusia County,” according to the county government. “Collectively, the projects will expand stormwater capacity, improve drainage and reduce flooding frequency and severity in residential and commercial areas.”
District 5 Councilman David Santiago was not at the meeting.
What Transform386 projects in Volusia County got funding?
Here’s a snapshot of the projects that received funding, according to the county:
Tuesday’s decision marks over $110 million in federal recovery funds that the county has awarded in less than a year for infrastructure and mitigation projects, according to the county.
City of DeBary officials celebrated the award for the city’s West Highbanks Road project. In addition to reducing flood risks, the project will “help capture and treat runoff before it reaches the river, improving pollutant removal and ensuring compliance with environmental and regulatory standards,” according to the city.
DeBary Mayor Karen Chasez, in a prepared statement, called the grant another way the city is protecting its residents and strengthening infrastructure.
“Stormwater resiliency is about more than flood control ― it’s about safeguarding our homes, maintaining reliable access for emergency services, and ensuring our community continues to thrive even in challenging weather conditions,” she said.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Volusia Council OKs close to $50M in flooding, infrastructure projects
Reporting by Sheldon Gardner, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
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