TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will ask the Legislature to dedicate $23 million in interest earned off the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement fund for Hurricane Michael recovery.
DeSantis made his announcement in Panama City on the anniversary of Michael devastating the area with Category 5 winds. He said he will also ask the Legislature to approve another $2 million for the recovery fund.
DeSantis also said he is awarding the area the first grant from a new economic development fund. The $2.6 million will be used to build two new roads and underground utilities to help develop new housing. Thousands are still homeless a year after the storm.
The announcement was one of several events DeSantis was holding in the area, concluding with a community rally at a high school football stadium.
