Cost-share project applications accepted Nov. 3-Dec. 15
The St. Johns River Water Management District will accept applications Nov. 3-Dec. 15, 2015, to share in $5 million in cost-share funding for rural communities and innovative projects that support the District's core missions.
The District's Governing Board on Oct. 14 approved selection criteria and funding for the Cost-Share Program for innovative projects and Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) communities.
Project proposals considered for funding should help benefit water supply (including water conservation, alternative water supplies, and maintenance or enhancement of REDI community supply systems), improve water quality, provide flood protection, or protect or enhance natural systems. Project criteria, application instructions and additional information about the program are available on the District's website at floridaswater.com/funding.
Informational workshops about the cost-share opportunity will be held at:
- 10 a.m. on Nov. 3 at District headquarters, 4049 Reid St., Palatka
- 10 a.m. on Nov. 4 at the District's Maitland Service Center, 601 South Lake Destiny Road, Suite 200, Maitland
An innovative project in Florida that will be considered for funding is one that uses emerging or proven technology in a unique way to promote alternative water supply development or to expand available quantities to offset groundwater withdrawal, or to otherwise demonstrate projects to improve the water resources of the District in support of the core missions.
A REDI community is economically disadvantaged with an employment base dominated by traditional agriculture or resource-based industries and a population of 25,000 or less. As of Sept. 1, 2015, REDI-designated communities include Baker, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam and Okeechobee counties and the communities of Bunnell, Callahan, Crescent City, Fellsmere, Fernandina Beach, Flagler Beach, Glen St. Mary, Hawthorne, Hilliard, Macclenny, Palatka, Interlachen, Palm Coast, Pomona Park and Welaka.
District staff will evaluate each project based on the evaluation criteria recently approved by the Board and prepare a recommended list for Board approval in February 2016.