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Newberry accepts $5.5 million Jobs Growth grant and approves CDBG applications for street and sewer work
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Summary
Commission approved a $5.5 million Florida Jobs Growth infrastructure grant for the Newberry ag/food‑tech innovation park and authorized two CDBG applications—one for about $1.2 million in street improvements and a separate ~$200,000 application to cover sewer hookups for low‑income residents; all motions passed unanimously.
The City of Newberry on April 27 adopted multiple grant resolutions to fund local infrastructure projects.
Commissioners approved Resolution 2026‑14 authorizing acceptance and administration of a Florida Commerce Jobs Growth infrastructure grant (agreement G0151) to provide public infrastructure at the Newberry ag/food‑tech innovation park and business incubator. The commission praised grant writer Jane Sullivan for securing the award; the motion passed unanimously.
The commission also approved two small‑city CDBG neighborhood revitalization applications. Staff described the first application as a street‑improvement package covering dirt roads that need paving and underlying water and sewer infrastructure; the project’s construction cost was presented at about $1.2 million after the state temporarily waived the usual $700,000 cap for the program year. A second separate application would cover sewer hook‑ups for roughly 22–23 low‑moderate‑income households at an estimated cost just above $200,000 so homeowners would not have to pay the roughly $10,000 connection fee per residence. Both resolutions to submit the applications and authorize the city manager to sign were adopted unanimously.
City staff said if awarded, the CDBG grants will require the city to close funding gaps from local sources for project completion and will allow low‑income households to connect without out‑of‑pocket expense.
