MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Manatee County officials are actively seeking resident input regarding a new disaster relief grant of $252 million.
Morgan Bryant, owner of Cool Beans AMI, reflects on her challenging journey after Hurricane Helene flooded her coffee shop, leaving her to rebuild from the ground up.
What You Need To Know
- Manatee County officials are soliciting resident feedback on a $252 million disaster relief grant.
- The program, named “Lasting Manatee,” aims to support recovery from hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton.
- A multi-step process is in place before funds can be accessed.
- A public meeting will be held on May 13 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at the Central Library, located at 1301 Barcarrota Blvd. in Bradenton, for public input on the grant.
“I don’t think you can begin to explain to people how hard it was. Your whole life turned upside down,” Bryant shared, underscoring the emotional toll of the disaster.
With the hope of revitalizing the community, Bryant looks forward to the assistance that the disaster relief grant may provide.
Recently, Manatee County announced that it received over $252 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Community Development Block Grant — Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program.
This initiative, “Lasting Manatee,” aims to promote recovery efforts for the damages inflicted by Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton.
The county is currently in the first stage of a multi-step process termed the “Unmet Needs Analysis.” This phase focuses on gathering data from FEMA, the Small Business Administration, insurance companies, and other sources to assess damage and identify unresolved needs in the aftermath of the storms.
Odugo Ohizu, the Communications Coordinator for Lasting Manatee, emphasizes the program’s commitment to community involvement, stating, “Tell us, please, what are your needs that are still unmet, where you haven’t been able to get assistance through other sources?”
The subsequent phase will involve the release of an action plan on May 21, detailing the proposed allocation of funds. Residents will have 30 days to review this plan and provide their feedback.
Bryant expresses optimism about how the funds could benefit business owners like herself, saying, “I think there’s a lot the money could go toward. Some of us were able to get loans or small grants, but I personally haven’t received anything from the government for what we went through.” She also hopes that homeowners and others in the community will access the funds, particularly for the reconstruction of the nearby city pier.
As Bryant continues to serve her community, she remains hopeful that the grant will foster support in return.
A public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 13 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at the Central Library at 1301 Barcarrota Blvd. in Bradenton, where residents can voice their opinions on the grant.
Article original publish date: 2025-05-13 10:50:00
Article source: www.baynews9.com
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