Discussions with DEO - September 2019

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September 2019

Hello!

This month we observed the second anniversary of Hurricane Irma's devastation on our state. Since Governor DeSantis' first day in office, he has charged DEO with expediting the process of helping Floridians rebuild their lives after disasters. Since Hurricane Irma's landfall, we at DEO have been working diligently and I want to share with you some of the milestones our team has accomplished, as well as the work still remaining.

Last year, DEO developed an action plan on how to help Floridians begin the long-term recovery process. A year after Hurricane Irma's landfall, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development released more than $700 million to assist with long-term recovery from Hurricane Irma. With that funding we have launched:

The Rebuild Florida Housing Repair and Replacement Program - This program is helping eligible homeowners impacted by Hurricane Irma to repair, rebuild or replace their damaged homes across the hardest-hit communities. Registration remains open, learn more.

Affordable Workforce Housing Construction Program - This program is partnership with the Florida Housing Finance Corporation and DEO that is currently accepting applications from local governments and developers to construct new affordable workforce housing across areas impacted by Hurricane Irma. Recently, Florida Housing unanimously approved funding for four developments in hurricane-impacted Monroe County.

Rebuild Florida Voluntary Home Buyout Program - This program was launched for local governments to purchase residential property in high flood-risk areas to help reduce the impact of future disasters. The application is open until October 1, 2019.

Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Program - This program was launched to fund infrastructure restoration and improvements projects in communities impacted by Hurricane Irma. The deadline to apply is October 31, 2019.

I'm proud of the work we have accomplished since Hurricane Irma, but there is still much to be done. We remain committed to working alongside communities to help with their economic growth, security and resiliency.

If you have any questions about any of our Rebuild Florida programs, please don't hesitate to reach out to RebuildFlorida@deo.myflorida.com. We will be more than happy to assist you.

Sincerely,

Ken

How does the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development help communities recover after a disaster? Watch this helpful video below to provide more insight on how long-term disaster recovery funding works.

HUD Helping Your Community Recover After a Disaster

Governor DeSantis Announces FinTech Priority Initiatives

Governor DeSantis announced several initiatives that encourage financial technology companies to start, relocate and expand in Florida. The initiatives include DEO and Enterprise Florida, Inc . expediting the review of Florida Job Growth Grant Fund proposals that provide workforce training programs in the financial services industry, with a focus on FinTech skills training.

DEO stands ready to w ork with state colleges, technical schools and financial technology companies to strengthen and diversify Florida’s workforce.

Learn more about financial technology initiatives

Disaster Recovery

Open Rebuild Florida Applications:

The deadline for the Rebuild Florida Voluntary Home Buyout Program is October 1, 2019 . Grant funding can be used by local governments to purchase homes damaged by Hurricane Irma from willing homeowners in high risk flood areas or to match funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

DEO also announced the extension of the deadline for local governments in communities impacted by Hurricane Irma to apply for the Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program . The application has been extended to October 31, 2019 .

Learn more

Governor DeSantis Announces $5 Million Available in Awards to Northwest Florida Region Through Rural Infrastructure Grant Fund

Governor DeSantis announced $5 million in awards is available to a six-county region in Northwest Florida through the Rural Infrastructure Grant Fund. Local governments and municipalities in Calhoun, Gadsden, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty and Washington counties have until November 22, 2019 to apply for infrastructure project funding.

Application forms are available upon request. More information about the Rural Infrastructure Fund is available on Floridajobs.org/RIF.

Learn more

Florida This Month

Florida is taking steps to create an environment for innovative and cutting-edge businesses to succeed. Governor DeSantis announced that Florida's businesses added 213,000 private-sector jobs over the year in August. This news comes on the heels of the announcement earlier this month of strategic steps being taken to prepare Florida’s business environment and workforce for enhanced economic growth in expanding industries such as financial technology.

Learn more about financial technology initiatives

Governor DeSantis announced that Florida's labor force continued to grow with 143,000 people entering the labor force over the year at an annual growth rate of 1.4 percent! As the workforce continues to grow, DEO stands ready to aid the future workforce in feeling prepared for emerging industries, including financial technology. As the workforce expands, we are committed to fostering an environment where businesses can grow, and Florida's workforce can continue to succeed.

Learn more

Agency News:

Governor Ron DeSantis Recognizes and Celebrates Workforce Development Month in Florida

Governor Ron DeSantis, the Florida Department of Education, DEO and CareerSource Florida celebrate Workforce Development Month in Florida. Workforce Development Month recognizes all workforce professionals, agencies and organizations who have helped thousands of Floridians find gainful employment and are contributing to Florida’s economic success.

“Governor DeSantis and his administration have paved the way for Florida to be No. 1 in workforce education by 2030,” said DEO Executive Director Ken Lawson. “We will continue to prioritize developing a highly-skilled and dynamic workforce that meets all employer needs. Florida’s workforce is one of the state’s greatest assets for expanding economic opportunities.”

To view Governor DeSantis’ proclamation for Workforce Development Month in Florida, please click here .

Learn more

Governor Ron DeSantis Announces More Than $1.4 Million in Awards to City of Fanning Springs for Infrastructure Improvements

Governor Ron DeSantis announced more than $1.4 million in awards to the City of Fanning Springs through the Rural Infrastructure Fund grant and a Community Development Block Grant CDBG to help fund infrastructure improvements that are expected to attract new businesses and tourists to the area.

The programs are administered by DEO. The infrastructure improvements will include:

Construction of access lanes to connect US 19 and State Road 26 to the hotel property;
Storm drains and other drainage features associated with road construction;
Water line and sanitary sewer line improvements;
Sidewalk improvements; and
Updating street lighting and electrical connections.

Learn more