DeSantis visits Marion County and announces more than $29.5 million in aide

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Posted March 18, 2022 | By James Blevins
james@ocalagazette.com

After visiting Ocala on Friday, March 18 for an unscheduled stop, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that more than $29.5 million in funding and resources would be made available to assist income-qualified individuals and families in Marion County impacted by recent severe weather events in Central and Northeast Florida, according to a press release from the Governor’s office.

These funds are made available in partnership with local Community Action Agencies (CAA), the release said.

“When a disaster strikes, both local and state agencies have roles in getting our communities back on their feet,” stated Gov. DeSantis in the Friday press release. “My administration will continue to work with state agencies so that those impacted by disasters can access the resources they need to recover.”

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) disperses available funding for Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to local CAAs. DEO is currently working with the CAAs in Marion County to provide CSBG and LIHEAP assistance to impacted individuals and families.

Carl Zalak III, chair of the Marion County Board of County Commissioners (MCBOCC), who met with DeSantis on Friday, said afterwards that he was pleased to see the governor come down to Ocala and survey the damage, which is now estimated at approximately $15 million.

“The governor really stepped up,” said Zalak on Friday. “I met with him when he was over in El Dorado, in that subdivision there. He was surveying the damage. We’re tremendously grateful for him and the state giving their assistance, helping people recover from this.”

As far as how quickly the funds will be released to those in need, Zalak said that the MCBOCC would have to look into that over the next couple days.

“That’s something we’re going to have to learn,” said Zalak. “But for now, we’re just glad it’s there.”

Available Resources

According to the Governor’s office press release, $4,010,045 in CSBG funding is available to assist eligible income-qualified households in Marion, as well as Clay, Putnam and Highlands counties who were impacted by the storm system.

Services may include the following:

• Emergency health
• Food
• Housing
• Debris removal
• Repair electrical wiring or gas lines
• Personal documentation (Driver’s License, ID cards)
• Medical supplies
• Daycare
• Transportation assistance
• Housing counseling
• Financial management assistance
• Nutrition programs
• Community gardening projects
• Food banks
• Job counseling
• Placement and training services
• Homeless prevention programs

$25,522,570 in LIHEAP funding is available to assist income-qualified families in Marion, Clay, Putnam and Highlands counties.

Services may include the following:

• Home heating and cooling costs
• Utility relocation setup and deposit
• Disaster related temporary housing
• HVAC replacement
• Generator purchase
• Electrical power cable connection

For more information, Marion County residents may contact the Central Florida Community Action Agency, 411 N. Main St., Suite 210, Gainesville, FL 32601, at (352) 373-7667.