Local news- Press Release
Flagler County Florida - Governor Ron DeSantis awards Flagler County $4 million for Nexus Center as part of broadband expansion 02 February 2024 ( news )
Flagler County , state Florida ( By Press Release office)
Feb 02,2024
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February 2 , 2024– Governor Ron DeSantis on Friday awarded $4 million to Flagler County for its “Nexus Center” – a multi - purpose facility to house both a new library and the county’s Health and Human Services Department – as part of a total $223 million to expand broadband internet access to all Floridians . The funding includes $135 million in state funding through the Broadband Opportunity Program , as well as $86 million in federal funds through the Multipurpose Community Facilities Program .
“We are thrilled by this announcement , ” said County Administrator Heidi Petito . “This is huge for Flagler County . We are extremely grateful to have been awarded this money by Governor DeSantis . ”
Flagler County’s award comes through the Multipurpose Facility Program that was designed to support community infrastructure projects that will provide internet access . This funding comes as the Federal Communications Commission recently enacted new rules relating to private companies’ broadband expansion efforts , aimed at preventing “digital discrimination of access to broadband services based on income level , race , ethnicity , color , religion or national origin . ”
“Connecting Florida’s small and rural communities to broadband internet will help them find jobs , access education resources and expand their businesses , ” DeSantis said in his announcement . “We will continue to make investments in broadband internet that support long - term growth for our communities , without federally imposed strings attached . ”
Chief of Special Projects and Library Director Holly Albanese heard about the federal $4 million grant application opportunity in June 2023 from State Librarian Amy Johnson and worked diligently to prepare the application for October .
“It was a very complex grant with lots of requirements , ” Albanese said . “It is the most difficult grant application I have submitted . ”
Applications were scored and ranked . Flagler County needed to rank in the top 20 .
“I am so proud of Holly , ” Petito said . “She worked so hard and did such a great job bringing this money into Flagler County . ”
Albanese made a presentation for the Nexus Center to the Board of County Commissioners more than two years ago that will provide expanded space for the Bunnell Branch Library , the Health and Human Services Department , a congregate meal site for seniors , and community rooms . The building will sit on county - owned property on Commerce Parkway near the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office headquarters .
“It’s an ingenious idea , ” said Flagler County Commission Chair Andy Dance at the time .
The decision to find another way to incorporate more needs for the county drove the conceptual floor plan Albanese presented .
“We revised the scope of the project from just a library to a library , a Health and Human Services Department , and a community room , ” she said . “It appears that was a good decision because it made us eligible for these funds . This announcement made my day . It’s a big win for our community . ”
Flagler County has another $9 . 6 million earmarked for this project , and another $1 million in revenue from the Library’s Passport Program . The county also secured a $500 , 000 state grant last year .
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