Many Hillsborough County communities are still recovering from significant storm damage after back-to-back hurricanes. Now, local neighborhoods have a chance to revitalize and beautify their outdoor spaces with the help of neighborhood mini-grants offered by Hillsborough County.

These grants open doors for communities to restore and enhance their outdoor areas, damaged by recent storms. Resident Miryam Reems, who has called the Carrollwood area home since 2005, recently joined her homeowner’s association board with a mission to improve local greenspaces. “I joined the board to help continue the great improvements that have already begun,” she shared.

Reems recalls that, while the community had made strides to beautify its public areas, the hurricanes caused setbacks. “During the hurricane, there was quite a bit of damage. A bench eroded and slid into the lake, and we almost lost one of our flower installations,” she said.

Last year, the community received a mini-grant from the county to install musical flowers. This year, they’re applying again, hoping to replace damaged light posts with more resilient fixtures. “Recreating in nature is one of the things that storms remind us to cherish,” said Reems. “It’s not just our neighborhood affected—it’s others, too.”

According to Stephanie Agliano, Hillsborough County’s Division Director for Customer Engagement and Support, these grants are in high demand, with 30–60 applicants each cycle and only about 20 awarded. “It’s an opportunity to improve outdoor areas, whether that means benches, exercise equipment, or other community amenities that make for healthier, safer neighborhoods,” said Agliano.

For Reems and her community, this grant represents a step toward creating a welcoming, active gathering space. “It’s turning into what it should be—the heart of our community where people can come together, stay active, and enjoy each other’s company,” she said.

As the deadline for the mini-grant approaches on Nov. 15, Hillsborough neighborhoods are coming together to rebuild and renew—seeing the rainbow after the storm.

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(Image created with AI)