Ten community project funding requests submitted this year by U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis were approved and will bring a total of $13.79 million in federal funding to the Tampa Bay area, according to a news release from the congressman’s office.
Bilirakis received dozens of proposals seeking federal funding from local governments, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations throughout Florida, the release said.
Three of the projects receiving funding will have a direct impact on areas within East Pasco County. Those projects are:
Rural Northeast Pasco Community Park Site Acquisition: $1 million
Provides funding to allow Pasco County to plan, identify, and buy the new community park site, including appraisals, boundary surveys, closing costs, insurance and so on. In other parts of the county, impact fees support the purchase of parkland and developing of parks, but in rural northeast Pasco, less land is being developed resulting in less impact fees.
The Dade City Wastewater Treatment Plant: $1.75 million
This project involves the design and permitting of the city’s wastewater treatment plant relocation and upgrade.
The Zephyrhills Lift Station and Force Main Project: $1.5 million
This provides matching funds to the City of Zephyrhills to assist with wastewater system improvement that will allow the city to balance wastewater flow, provide water quality protection and support water supply needs in the Hillsborough River Basin.
The other seven projects submitted by Bilirakis that received funding will have direct impacts in West Pasco, in Pinellas County or across Pinellas and Pasco counties.
In the news release, Bilirakis, who represents Florida’s 12th congressional district, said: “While I am no proponent of big government spending, I have a duty to ensure my community receives its fair share of allocated federal resources and to be transparent about my efforts to prioritize these important projects. These projects will help strengthen our local infrastructure, benefit our community and assist local residents.”
Published March 23, 2022
