ECAT Bus Shelter Manufacturing Project (CDBG-DR) HS018

The impacts of Hurricane Sally further demonstrated the need for an effective, comprehensive long-term recovery plan that would address and meet the remaining needs of Floridians following this catastrophic event. In the wake of this natural disaster, Florida came together to recover and rebuild, but significant unmet needs remain. Recognizing this, under FR Vol. 77 No. 23 published February 3, 2022, Congress appropriated and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allocated a total of $113 million in funding to support long-term recovery efforts following Hurricane Sally through the Florida Department of Commerce (Commerce) Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Program. Escambia County, Florida was awarded funding for the Hometown Revitalization Program Business Façade and Building Improvement (HRP projects). These projects will assist business owners and patrons in low‐ and moderate‐income (LMI) areas in their ongoing recovery process. The façade and lighting improvement projects will encourage physical improvements to the identified streetscapes throughout Escambia County. The project areas include Census Tracts 400, 1104, 1201, 1202, 1402, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 2000, 2100, 2200, 2300, 2400, 2804, 3100, and 3400. The addition and improvements of bus shelters will enhance the image and overall economic viability of the neighborhood business districts by improving the function and appearance of individual building façades. They will also spur new private investment in commercial properties in the surrounding location and along adjacent commercial districts and manifest readily observable outcomes that positively affect the community.