Manatee County residents are being asked to weigh in on how to use more than $252 million in federal disaster relief funding to support recovery from recent hurricanes and flooding.

The area was hit hard last hurricane season, with severe wind and flood damage still visible in many neighborhoods. Some residents are still trying to rebuild after Tropical Storm Debby and Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Now, county officials are turning to the community for guidance on how to spend $252,711,000 awarded through a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“There is a lot of hurt in this county from the storms,” said Michele Davis, manager of the grant administration division. “We want to do everything we can to help people heal and make Manatee County stronger.”

The initiative, called Lasting Manatee, is focused on long-term recovery. County leaders are seeking feedback on pressing post-storm needs and ways to improve infrastructure resilience.

“We’re looking into home repairs, home replacements, and voluntary buyouts of properties in low-lying flood-prone areas—especially those that have suffered repeated losses,” Davis explained.

A public meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 13, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Central Library in Bradenton (1301 Barcarrota Blvd. W.), where residents can share their unmet needs and input on how the funds should be used.

“This is a key opportunity for community members to have their voices heard,” said Odugo Ohizu, communications coordinator for the grant. “Many residents have already exhausted other funding options, and these programs could be a vital next step in their recovery.”

Programs under Lasting Manatee are expected to roll out between fall and late winter.

For more information, visit: https://mymanatee.org/lastingmanatee

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(Image credit: Samaritan’s Purse)

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