Manatee County Moves Forward with $252 Million Hurricane Relief Plan
Manatee County is set to receive more than $252 million in federal disaster recovery funding after the Board of County Commissioners took decisive action during a special work session on June 20.
The board unanimously approved the Draft Action Plan for the Lasting Manatee Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, ensuring the county remains on schedule to secure federal funding aimed at long-term hurricane relief and community resilience projects.
The funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and is intended to address unmet needs in areas affected by major disasters. The Lasting Manatee initiative outlines a strategy for deploying these funds into housing recovery, infrastructure improvements, and economic revitalization.
With the board’s approval, Manatee County now enters a critical phase of public engagement and HUD review. County officials emphasized the importance of taking action before the summer recess to maintain the project’s momentum and meet key federal deadlines.
Residents can view the full timeline and learn more about the Lasting Manatee initiative by visiting mymanatee.org/lastingmanatee. Public input will continue to shape the final version of the Action Plan before its formal submission to HUD later this year.
This funding is expected to play a vital role in Manatee County’s recovery and future storm preparedness, reinforcing the county’s commitment to building a stronger, more resilient community.