Leon County Government was awarded a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) of $3.6 million for the restoration of the Concord School in Miccosukee. The CDBG award is in addition to $1 million in federal funding Leon County received for the project as part of Congress' Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations bill, as well as a County match of $850,000.
“At Leon County, we know the importance of investing in our rural communities to both provide essential services and preserve their unique character,” said Leon County Commission Chairman Bill Proctor. “The County’s investment of federal dollars will make the Concord School a shining beacon for all of Leon County, especially the Miccosukee community.”
Funding will allow the County to make needed renovations purposed to improve functionality of the building and allow for future amenities. As this 1940 era building will be the only public gathering space in this rural community, the County's investment will ensure a critical site is available for the public to gather, receive needed services, and connect with neighbors. Further, the restored Concord School will have an emergency generator to serve as a comfort station during severe weather events to enhance community resilience.
“This game-changing $5.4 million investment represents the County’s long-term work on the Miccosukee Sense of Place initiative to shape the community for generations to come,” said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. “I am proud of all the work of our County teams since 2016, from the significant citizen engagement to the tireless legislative work.”
Before submitting for CDBG funds, the County conducted an extensive engagement plan to gather community input and inform the project's design. Specifically, the County convened a working group and hosted a series of public meetings in the Miccosukee area. The CDBG grant submission was approved by the Board in October 2021.
Restoration will begin this calendar year and continue through the end of 2023.
Administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), Community Development Block Grant - CV (CDBG-CV) funds are federally-awarded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and designed to help local governments prepare for, prevent, or respond to the health and economic impacts of the pandemic. The activities must be critical to their locality and primarily for the benefit of low- and moderate-income residents. Local governments are encouraged to include activities that benefit workforce housing, training, and sustainability, as well as broadband infrastructure and planning.
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