FloridaCommerce has announced that more than $1.5 million will be distributed to 26 communities across the state through the Community Planning Technical Assistance (CPTA) and Competitive Florida Partnership programs. Of these awards, 24 will go to small and rural communities, with the aim of helping them develop and implement strategies for local economic growth.
“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, FloridaCommerce continues to support Floridians in building strong, resilient communities,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “Since 2019, FloridaCommerce has awarded more than $7.6 million through the CPTA program to over 110 communities—empowering many of Florida’s small and rural communities to advance strategic economic initiatives and strengthen their local economies for future growth.”
The CPTA grant program is designed to help communities create long-term development strategies while encouraging innovative planning that protects natural resources. The Competitive Florida Partnership program helps areas build plans to attract businesses and increase workforce opportunities.
Funding recipients under the CPTA grant include counties such as Bradford, which will use $75,000 for an economic development strategy; Opportunity Florida, receiving $47,575 for an economic analysis study across several rural counties; Apalachee Regional Planning Council with $74,231.82 for a multi-county strategic sites inventory; Crystal River, awarded $75,000 for its own development plan; Keystone Heights with $60,000 for updating its comprehensive plan; and DeSoto County getting $75,000 to expand investment and tourism opportunities.
Other recipients include Cross City ($75,000), Horseshoe Beach ($75,000), Gadsden County ($75,000), Glades County ($55,000), Hardee County ($60,000), Sneads ($45,000), Clermont ($50,000), Cedar Key ($75,000), Greenville ($48,500), Indiantown ($74,275), Crestview ($50,000), Okeechobee County ($40,400), Loxahatchee Groves ($75,000), Kenneth City ($40,000), Fort Meade ($45,000), Palatka ($75,000) and Taylor County ($75,000).
Under the Competitive Florida Partnership program grants were given to Franklin County at $32,930 for developing an economic strategy focused on strengthening the economy and increasing jobs in commercial sectors. Hardee County also received $32,930 to develop a master plan for its Government Center and Resiliency Hub.
Additional details about these programs can be found on their respective websites: Community Planning Technical Assistance Grant program (https://floridajobs.org/community-planning-and-development/programs/community-planning-technical-assistance-grant-program) and Competitive Florida Partnership program (https://floridajobs.org/community-planning-and-development/programs/competitive-florida-partnership).
