Manatee County to put $125M toward infrastructure post-hurricanes

Manatee County is putting $125 million toward public long-term resiliency projects, with funding it received from the federal government. A preapplication period opens June 1.

Funds will go toward projects focused on restoring and strengthening publicly-owned infrastructure impacted by hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton, through Manatee County’s Infrastructure Recovery & Resiliency Program.

Eligible applicants include the cities of Anna Maria, Bradenton, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach and Palmetto; the town of Longboat Key; and Manatee County.

“This is the largest infrastructure investment the county has ever managed,” Manatee County Commissioner Mike Rahn says in a statement. “We look forward to working hand-in-hand with our municipal partners to execute countywide storm resiliency improvements that reduce risk and future losses from disasters.”

Potential projects could include things like shoreline stabilization, stormwater upgrades, roadway and bridge resiliency enhancements, water and wastewater improvements, utility hardening and drainage improvements, among others.

Commissioners outlined allocations for each jurisdiction already: $287,500 for Anna Maria; nearly $16.18 million for Bradenton; $262,500 for Bradenton Beach; $862,500 for Holmes Beach; $3.85 million for Palmetto; $725,000 for Longboat Key; and nearly $102.84 million for Manatee County.

County infrastructure projects must range from $500,000 to $50 million, while municipalities’ projects can range from $100,000 to $30 million.

While the applicants for the program must be municipalities or the county, nonprofit organizations can submit preapplications to help identify unmet infrastructure needs. They can partner with government entities, which will support the implementation of proposed projects.

The Infrastructure Recovery & Resiliency Program is funded with money that came from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. HUD provided Manatee County with $252.71 million in 2025 for the federally funded Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery program, to be used for recovery efforts from hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton. From that allocation, Manatee County set aside $125 million for its Infrastructure Recovery & Resiliency Program. 

Manatee County released the Notice of Funding Availability for the Infrastructure Recovery & Resiliency Program May 28, with information for interested applicants.

While a pre-application period launches June 1, applications will be accepted starting July 1, and the application deadline is Aug. 30. Commissioners will then review the proposed projects for approval.