EPA awards Lee County, foundation nearly $20M for disaster readiness

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently awarded Lee County and the Collaboratory nearly $19.3 million to help disadvantaged communities tackle environmental challenges related to disaster preparedness. 

The funding, according to a statement, will “increase community resilience, reduce pollution and build community capacity.” The Collaboratory is a Southwest Florida community foundation with $169 million in assets.

The project, the release states, will invest in four organizations to create the foundation of a network of community resilience hubs to support residents during emergencies, such as hurricanes. Resilience hubs are locations that provide supplies or social services residents need every day. The hubs are: 

• Collaboratory, 2031 Jackson St., Fort Myers
• Franklin Park Elementary School, 2323 Ford St., Fort Myers
• IMAG History & Science Center, 2000 Cranford Ave., Fort Myers
• Pine Manor Community Center, 5547 Tenth Ave., Fort Myers

The grant period is three years.

The project is aligned to 12 initiatives identified in the ResilientLee effort coordinated by Collaboratory and Lee County following Hurricane Ian, the release states. Like ResilentLee, this is a collaborative project enlisting partners to include: The School District of Lee County; the Pine Manor Improvement Association; the United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades; the American Red Cross; the city of Fort Myers; and the IMAG History and Science Center