FloridaCommerce has announced that funding is now available for non-entitlement units of local government under the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.
This funding opportunity will support critical community development needs through Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2023 and FFY 2024 allocations. The program areas eligible for funding include Neighborhood Revitalization, Housing Rehabilitation, Commercial Revitalization, and Economic Development.
FloridaCommerce (formerly known as the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, or DEO) is a state agency responsible for economic development, workforce services, and community development in Florida. It plays a key role in fostering business growth, supporting job creation, and managing state and federal economic programs.
Key Functions of FloridaCommerce:
- Workforce Development: Oversees CareerSource Florida, which provides employment and training programs.
- Business & Economic Growth: Manages economic incentives and support for businesses expanding in or relocating to Florida.
- Community Development: Administers grant programs for local governments to support infrastructure, housing, and disaster recovery.
- Reemployment Assistance: Handles unemployment benefits for Florida residents.
Recognizing the growing needs of Florida’s rural and storm-impacted communities, FloridaCommerce is proactively encouraging these areas to apply for funding to support near-term resiliency projects. In response to feedback from small cities and rural communities, the agency has removed previous funding limits and streamlined the application process by eliminating certain administrative barriers. This includes the removal of restrictions that previously limited eligible local governments to submitting only one grant application per cycle.
This funding represents a significant opportunity for Florida’s small cities to enhance local infrastructure, boost economic resilience, and improve quality of life for residents. By removing administrative hurdles, FloridaCommerce is making it easier for communities to access the resources they need to grow and recover.
All applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, May 2, 2025, to be considered for funding. Interested applicants should email CDBG@Commerce.fl.gov to request a link to the electronic application portal and receive detailed submission instructions.
To assist potential applicants, FloridaCommerce hosted a webinar on Friday, February 28, 2025, providing an overview of the application process and technical guidance. A recording of the webinar and presentation materials are available on the FloridaCommerce Small Cities CDBG webpage.
For more information about the FloridaCommerce visit https://www.floridajobs.org