Gov. Rick Scott focused on rural road improvements on Thursday, appearing in Belle Glade to showcase how that town, Pahokee and South Bay will receive $3.8 million in his Rural Areas of Opportunity program.
Building and repairing roadways in rural communities is a top priority to help Florida continue to be the worlds No. 1 tourist and business destination, Scott said on Thursday. This $3.8 million investment will allow our rural communities in Palm Beach County to make important roadway upgrades so they can continue to grow. We are committed to increasing economic activity and job creation across Florida so every family can get a great job and live their dreams in the Sunshine State.
Scott announced last week that 20 rural areas in Florida will receive $9 million in transportation improvement funds through the Rural Areas of Opportunity Program and the Florida Department of Transportations (DOT) Small County Outreach Program (SCOP).
Palm Beach County, which Scott showcased on Thursday, is getting a large share of those funds, with more than $1.4 million going to South Bay, $1.375 million headed to Pahokee and more than $1 million penciled in for Belle Glade for road repair.
Wauchula in Hardee County will receive $1.175 million while Hendry County will see $370,000 sent to LaBelle and Clewiston for road repair. Lake Placid in Highlands County will get $100,000 while Okeechobee in Okeechobee County will receive $57,750.
Over in Putnam County, Interlachen is set to receive $750,000 while Live Oak in Suwannee County will get $915,900. Two towns in Hamilton County -- Jennings and White Springs -- will take in more than $145,000 while Bell in Gilchrist County will receive $121,200.
Three towns in Jackson County -- Alford, Graceville and Malone -- will receive around $685,000 for road repair while Wassau in Washington County will get almost $400,000. Quincy in Gadsden County will take in more than $234,500 while Monticello in Jefferson County will get $137,863. Wewahitchka in Gulf County will take in more than $62,700 to repair Old Highway 22A.
On Thursday, outgoing FDOT Secretary Ananth Prasad praised the decision to spend the money on road improvement.
I applaud the leadership of the governor and Legislature for extending the benefits of this program which demonstrate the great statewide need for projects to maintain roadways in rural areas, Prasad said.
Two local Democrats serving in the Legislature on Thursday praised the decision to fund rural roads in Palm Beach County.
Representing the communities of Belle Glade, South Bay and Pahokee is a true privilege, said Sen. Joe Abruzzo, D-Wellington. It was a pleasure working with Gov. Scott, the Florida Department of Transportation, and the Legislature to respond to the critical need for improved infrastructure throughout Florida. Securing this transportation funding is a major triumph; it will provide sustainable solutions by encouraging ease of movement and enriching the overall quality of life for the residents of western Palm Beach County. As the economies of the western communities continue emerging and attracting year-round industry, this targeted assistance will provide tangible benefits to some of our most in-need communities.
This is great news, said Rep. Kevin Rader, D-Boca Raton. The funding of these projects reflects the need to improve these roadways in these communities. The projects will provide much-needed sidewalks and other safety features for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
