County seeks public input to secure Hurricane Ian recovery funds

Sarasota County residents are invited to participate in the newly launched Resilient SRQ survey to provide feedback for the upcoming action plan and potential use of funds to support recovery efforts countywide from the impacts of Hurricane Ian.

The county will use information from the survey, public meetings and data from federal, state and local sources to develop an action plan detailing projects and programs to best address the unmet needs in the county. Projects will primarily assist low- to moderate-income households in housing, infrastructure restoration, economic revitalization and mitigation. 

The survey is available at SCGov.net/ResilientSRQ through June 28. Paper copies are also available at county libraries, the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension, the Sustainability Sarasota office and several community centers and parks.

The Resilient SRQ program was created for an anticipated $201.5 million allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery. As part of the program, the county will submit an action plan outlining the use of the funds. The plan will require approval from the Sarasota County Commission and HUD prior to the county taking receipt of the funds.

In addition to the survey, residents may also provide feedback during one of the Resilient SRQ public meetings at the following locations and times:  

• 5:30-7:30 p.m. June 21, at Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Public Library, 4143 Woodmere Park Blvd., Venice
• 6-8 p.m. June 22, at Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Public Library, 2801 Newtown Blvd., Sarasota
• 2-4 p.m. June 24, at Shannon Staub Public Library, 4675 Career Lane, North Port

To learn more or be notified about program updates, events and information, visit SCGov.net/ResilientSRQ or call 311.