The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding $943,000 in grants to support five disaster economic recovery coordinator positions that will work to support economic recovery efforts in Florida in the wake of Hurricane Irma.
“The Commerce Department is working diligently to provide aid to local businesses and communities after this year’s tragic hurricane season,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “Along with the efforts of local partners, the entire Administration has endeavored to ensure that American communities will not be left behind after a devastating disaster strikes.”
The investments announced today include:
- $200,000 to the Northeast Florida Regional Council of Jacksonville, Florida,
- $200,000 to the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council of Fort Myers, Florida
- $200,000 to the Central Florida Regional Planning Council of Bartow, Florida
- $174,704 to the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council of Orlando, Florida
- $168,000 to the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council of Pinellas Park, Florida
The grants will go toward the hire of a Disaster Recovery Coordinator for each locality who will support enhanced recovery efforts by helping coordinate the efforts of local governments, economic development organizations, and individual business. This project will also provide direct assistance in navigating and accessing the myriad of resources, available from multiple participants, to aid in recovery and resilience activities.