The Rebuild Florida General Infrastructure Grant Program is administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and is federally funded.  The competitive program focuses on "high impact activities to minimize or eliminate risks and reduce losses from future disasters...the funds provide an opportunity to improve state and local planning protocols and procedures." The goal of the program is to protect critical community lifelines, which include safety and security; food, water and shelter; and communications. 

One of the eligible activities is to fortify buildings that are essential to the health, safety and welfare of a community, which includes schools. Unfortunately, school districts are not eligible applicants. However, the District and Brevard County are proposing to partner on a project that would improve first responder communication capabilities in school buildings. Brevard County will be the grant applicant and the District will be a co-applicant. If the project is selected for funding, an interlocal agreement will need to be developed between the District and Brevard County.  Brevard County will be the grant recipient, but the District will be responsible for administering the project, funding the local match and maintaining the project after completion. The District staff is preparing the grant application with assistance from Brevard County Emergency Management. The Board of County Commissioners will consider the grant submittal on August 31. 

The minimum grant amount is $2 million. Although no local match is required, local participation enhances the project score. Sales surtax revenue has been allocated for supporting this project in year 5, but can be advanced if needed. The grant application is under development. Grant submittals are due by September 17, 2021.

The application process requires a public notice and comment period. The public notice will be posted on the District web site with an opportunity to submit comments during the comment period, planned for August 25 through September 10. District staff is also reaching out to municipal first-responder agencies to request their support for the project.

Approve submission of an application to the Rebuild Florida General Infrastructure Grant Program as a co-applicant with Brevard County to improve first responder communication capabilities in school buildings.