The BP oil spill award is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fund
SGI 2025VISION, but there are other sources of funding too.
Why is it important for St George Island to have a Voice?
This is the first time in many years that citizens of the island have organized themselves to make specific and detailed requests for public investments on the island. It has been more than twenty years since the county has made significant investments on the island. Without such an organized voice speaking on behalf of this community, the island may not receive the benefits of an extra infusion of public funding that is needed to improve our infrastructure and invest in sustaining our quality of life.
State and Federal Grants are available.
Editor's note: TRIUMPH is not a good fit for SGI.
Through its research, the Civic Club has identified a wide range of state and federal sources for grants that other neighboring communities are using to fund similar improvements to those in SGI 2025VISION. After research and personal meetings, unfortunately, we have concluded that one large fund of approximately $1.5 Billion, apparently, will not be a source for any of the capital projects identified within the plan. The "TRIUMPH" investments are for large job-creation projects; none of the proposals in this plan meet this criteria since they are focused on sustaining island life as it is known today. Although the island experienced the same ill-effects of the oil spill, the committee is not in favor of the “transformative economic development” required to receive funding. The committee members continue to discuss and research the possibility of funding for expansion of high-speed internet throughout the county, which could provide jobs as well as educational opportunities within the county.
And there are other funding sources too.
State and federal grant programs have been used in other locations within the county to fund similar improvements contemplated in SGI 2025. These grants are limited to individual construction projects, requiring separate grant applications. For example, the United States Department of Agriculture provides resources to rural communities that can be used for parking lots. This agency can also build community centers and help with fire department equipment. The Florida Department of Transportation can support beautification efforts along state roads, like SR 300 Franklin Blvd—and actually did so, twenty years ago when we received funds to plant palms. The St George Island Boat Ramp can be made safer through a grant from the Florida FIsh and Wildlife Conservation Commission. A potential federal source is also Oil Spill funds dedicated to this county called “RESTORE.” The county will receive millions for several years from this account also.