$100M Approved For Manatee Infrastructure Projects After 2024 Hurricanes

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — Manatee County commissioners have approved more than $100 million for infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening the county's recovery from Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton.

The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners approved the first round of projects Wednesday through the Lasting Manatee Infrastructure Recovery and Resiliency Program, which is funded through $252.7 million in federal Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funds, according to a news release from the county.

The program is designed to repair and strengthen public infrastructure while reducing the area's vulnerability to future storms, county officials said. Eligible projects include drainage and stormwater improvements, water and wastewater systems, transportation infrastructure and public safety facilities.

The largest allocations approved include $24.9 million for automated outfall structures at Pearce Drain and $19.1 million for automated outfall structures at Bowlees Creek.

The county also approved $11.3 million for improvements in the Meadors Subdivision/Pennsylvania area and $8 million for Sylvan Oaks stormwater improvements.

Other county projects include $6.5 million for storm revetment along Cortez Road, $2.5 million each to harden EMS Station 10 and EMS Station 16, and nearly $1.9 million for five backup generators at utility lift stations.

The city of Bradenton was approved for more than $14 million across five projects, including drainage improvements, water interconnects and a resiliency project along Riverside Drive.

The city of Palmetto received $3.6 million for the first phase of a wastewater treatment plant expansion. Holmes Beach received $810,750 for infiltration trench rehabilitation, while Longboat Key received $681,500 for flood mitigation and stormwater improvements.

Bradenton Beach and Anna Maria also received funding for stormwater projects.

“These dollars give us an opportunity to do more than simply repair what was damaged,” Manatee County District 2 Commissioner Amanda Ballard said in a statement. “We’re strengthening critical infrastructure, improving resiliency and directing resources toward Low- and Moderate-Income communities with significant recovery needs.”

The approved projects will not immediately move into construction, officials said. Before federal funds can be committed or spent, projects must complete requirements that may include environmental reviews, cost reviews, duplication-of-benefits analyses, and required agreements.

The infrastructure program is separate from Manatee County's Home Recovery Program, which provides assistance to eligible homeowners whose properties were damaged by Debby, Helene and Milton.

The county has allocated approximately $75.6 million for the Home Recovery Program, which can help eligible homeowners with repairs, reconstruction, replacement or elevation of their homes.

The two programs are moving forward simultaneously and homeowners already participating in the Home Recovery Program don't need to take any action because of Wednesday's infrastructure funding decisions, county officials said.