Several Pinellas County communities are set to benefit from millions in state funding aimed at boosting hurricane recovery and long-term storm resiliency, thanks to allocations in Florida’s newly approved budget.

State Sen. Nick DiCeglie played a key role in securing funding for infrastructure and recovery projects in areas hit hard by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in the fall of 2024.

“In many parts of Pinellas County, the infrastructure is old and outdated—we need upgrades,” DiCeglie said. “This effort won’t end with this session. Whether through appropriations or policy, we need to keep building resiliency.”

DiCeglie said many of his funding requests received little opposition in the Legislature, largely because lawmakers had witnessed the extent of the coastal damage. Florida Senate President Ben Albritton toured storm-ravaged areas of Pinellas shortly after Hurricane Helene, which DiCeglie said helped pave the way for support.

“I was grateful President Albritton saw the damage firsthand,” he said. “When I later filed these requests, I didn’t have to make a hard sell—he understood the need right away.”

Among the largest allocations is $10 million for the University of South Florida St. Petersburg to repair and replace a research and teaching facility damaged by the storms.

Clearwater will receive $3 million each for stormwater system upgrades in North Beach and for the construction of a living seawall. Additional funding is designated for a new public safety building in Treasure Island, an Aquafence flood barrier at Indian Rocks Beach’s city facility, and lift station improvements throughout the county.

St. Petersburg’s Shore Acres neighborhood will receive $1 million for infrastructure upgrades in its flood-prone areas.

These items are part of the state budget, which Gov. Ron DeSantis must finalize by July 1. He holds line-item veto power, meaning individual projects could still be cut.

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