Lee Commissioners amend Action Plan to reallocate hurricane recovery grants

The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to amend the Action Plan for Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Relief funds and reallocate more than $82.4 million for critical infrastructure projects. The amendment includes hurricane shelter upgrades.

The board action approved publishing proposed amendments to Lee County’s Action Plan for CDBG-DR funding for a 30-day public comment period beginning Thursday, April 17. Comments will be accepted online or via email and will be incorporated into the final amendment prior to submission to the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development. Comments may be submitted online at ian-cdbgdr.leegov.com or via email to [email protected].

Hurricane Ian made landfall in Lee County on Sept. 28, 2022. In early 2023, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the $1.1 billion allocation of Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds to support Lee County’s long-term recovery efforts.

Lee County submitted the Action Plan for CDBG-DR funds on Sept. 19, 2023. HUD approved the Action Plan on Nov. 7, 2023. The board has periodically approved funding for projects since.