By COLLIN BREAUXHolmes County and Bonifay are some of the rural communities that will receive funding from the state to help communities impacted by Hurricane Michael, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Friday, Dec. 15.
Holmes County will receive approximately $4.6 million for water and roadway infrastructure improvements, while Bonifay will get around $1.4 million to upgrade the city’s wastewater treatment plant and potable water supply, the governor’s announce said in a news release.
The upgrade in Bonifay is expected to create 120 new jobs and provide more than $120 million in capital investment.
More than $24 million in awards to sixteen rural communities through the Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF) program, the governor’s office said.
“We are committed to providing Florida’s rural communities with the resources they need to support long-term economic growth,” DeSantis said in a prepared statement. “These investments will improve infrastructure, attract new businesses and accelerate Florida’s unprecedented growth.”
Opportunity Florida, a regional economic development alliance, applauded DeSantis’ investments in a separate news release.
“Governor DeSantis has once again provided crucial support to our rural communities in a way
that is targeted toward helping our communities grow and prosper in the future,” Opportunity Florida Executive Director Richard Williams said. “The governor’s office and Florida
Commerce continue to be responsive to the needs of rural communities and show they value
rural Florida.”
GARETT VALCOURT 
Jim Saunders 
Dara Kam 