DeSantis awards $27M to 14 rural Florida communities, including Panhandle counties

Governor Ron DeSantis announced $27 million in infrastructure funding Tuesday to 14 small and rural communities across Florida, with eight of those awards going to Panhandle counties still recovering from Hurricane Isaias.

The awards come through the Rural Infrastructure Fund, a state program supporting infrastructure projects that drive job creation and economic development in rural areas. According to the Governor's Press Office, the funding will support projects ranging from roadway connectivity improvements to stormwater infrastructure upgrades and building renovations.

Calhoun County is among the recipients, receiving nearly $2.5 million to acquire and renovate a commercial building next to the new Calhoun Liberty Hospital. The project will house a primary care clinic, rural specialty care center, and county EMS operations, and is expected to create about 33 full-time jobs. The Town of Century also received nearly $500,000 through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund for a building renovation and fire suppression system upgrade.

FloridaCommerce received 141 applications requesting more than $193 million during the 2026-2027 application period. DeSantis said the funding is part of broader hurricane recovery efforts and long-term economic strengthening for rural Florida communities.