Expand / Collapse search
☰

Fort Meade to receive $6.1 million grant for wastewater improvements

By Senior Producer Corey Beckman
Updated  February 8, 2022 1:25pm EST
Polk County
FOX 13 News

Full press conference: DeSantis announces infrastructure improvements for Polk County

Gov. Ron DeSantis held a press conference at the Polk County History Center in Bartow to award millions in infrastructure improvements for several cities.

FORT MEADE, Fla. - Florida will be providing millions of dollars for infrastructure improvements in communities that are affected by hurricanes – including right in Fort Meade.

Gov. Ron DeSantis made the announcement from the Polk County Historic Center in Bartow, with the Fort Meade mayor in attendance. The city will receive $6.1 million for its water collection system to mitigate flood risk.

Fort Meade is the oldest city in Polk County, with its origins dating back to 1849. 

During the press conference, Mayor Robert Elliot acknowledged the city's long history, commending the structures that were already built, but adding that the funding will make it even stronger.

READ: Lakeland to celebrate 65 years since Queen Elizabeth II gifted city with swans

DeSantis also announced the following grants:

  • Pinellas County ($17,120,395) – to stabilize and widen the Joe’s Creek channel to lower flood risk and increase resilience throughout the watershed.
  • City of St. Petersburg ($2,034,517) – to dredge Bartlett Lake to increase storage volume, improve water quality, and improve stormwater flow.
  • City of Boynton Beach ($16,500,000) – to make drainage, utilities, and roadway improvements to mitigate recurrent flooding in the San Castle neighborhood.
  • City of Eatonville ($5,986,105) – to harden the existing water system to provide critical supply during natural disasters.
  • City of Punta Gorda ($2,521,250) – to resolve flooding and improve water quality treatment in the Boca Grande neighborhood.
  • Orange County ($2,726,000) – to harden the master pump station to increase reliability and resiliency to withstand extreme weather events.
  • Town of Lake Park ($11,067,635) – to retrofit the existing drainage system to mitigate recurrent flooding.