Volusia County is set to receive a substantial $133.5 million in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds, with a significant portion aimed at addressing unmet needs and enhancing mitigation efforts. During a recent public hearing, officials outlined that $116.1 million will tackle unmet needs, while $17.4 million is earmarked for mitigation projects, fulfilling the requirement that at least 15% of the funds be used for this purpose.

What makes this funding particularly advantageous for Volusia County is its designation as a "most impacted and distressed" (MID) area, allowing the county to utilize the funds without restrictive limitations. This means that the entire county can benefit from the financial support, rather than just select areas.

The timeline for utilizing these funds is tight, with all expenditures required to be completed within six years. Following the storm in October, the county began preparations in January, hosting five community meetings across different districts to gather input on how best to allocate the funds. A survey was also distributed to ensure a broad range of community voices were heard.

Currently, the drafted action plan is open for public comment for 30 days. After incorporating feedback, the plan will be presented to the county council in May for approval before being submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for final review. Once approved, the county will receive a signed grant agreement, paving the way for the implementation of projects that aim to serve the community effectively.