St. Lucie County Commissioners Approve $63.7 Million American Rescue Plan Investing in Stormwater and Utilities Improvements
ST. LUCIE COUNTY (treasurecoast.com) – St. Lucie County Commissioners unanimously approved a $63.7 million American Rescue Plan that is focused on improving and enhancing the county’s utilities and stormwater systems.
Through informal meetings and budget workshops, the Board of County Commissioners reviewed more than 100 different projects proposed by staff that would qualify for funding under the American Rescue Plan, which was adopted by Congress in March of 2021. The federal government allocated $650 billion to be distributed to local governments around the country to assist with public health responses; addressing negative economic impacts; replacing public sector revenue loss; premium pay for our essential workers and to invest in water, sewer or broadband infrastructure projects. All local governments have a deadline of Dec. 31, 2026 to expend these funds.
During its regular meeting today, County Commissioners set aside $55.1 million to be invested in capital projects that fall under the water, sewer or broadband infrastructure category; $6.1 million to support the public health response and $2.4 million to address negative economic impacts caused by the pandemic.
“These funds will go a long way in making significant infrastructure improvements within our communities with a strong emphasis on water quality projects and economic development. As we have done in the past, our staff will continue to find ways to stretch these dollars by applying for additional matching grants, so that we ensure our residents get the largest return on the investment,” said St. Lucie County Commission Chair Chris Dzadovsky.
Roughly, 34.1 million of the $55.1 million in infrastructure will be used to expand water and sewer lines in the Lakewood Park and Midway Road areas of the county; while $17.8 million will be used to collect and treat stormwater countywide, including vulnerable locations such as White City, Indian River Estates, Sunland Gardens and Harmony Heights neighborhoods. Additional improvements will be made to regional systems such as Ten Mile Creek, Indrio Savannas and Hog Pen Slough to improve the water quality that is discharged into downstream impaired water bodies. Funding will be also used to update St. Lucie County’s Stormwater Master Plan. Lastly, $3.1 million is set aside to assist with broadband infrastructure improvements throughout the county.
These infrastructure projects focus on reducing flooding, improving water quality in the Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie Estuary, as well as spurring economic development.
As the projects begin to be implemented in the coming months, St. Lucie County staff will provide the Board of County Commissioners and the general public with monthly updates on the investments of these funds into our communities.
