DeSantis hands Panama City $20.4M grant for post-hurricane water system repairs

PANAMA CITY, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday handed Panama City leaders a $20.4 million grant for post-hurricane repairs of the city’s water, sewer and stormwater systems.

The money from the state job growth grant fund will be used to help the city repair 2.4 miles of damaged water and storm water lines respectively, as well as 3 miles of damaged sewer lines in the area.

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“People understand just how devastating Hurricane Michael was for the area, but a lot of people don’t know that even today the city has employees working around the clock to maintain lift stations and keep manholes clear during storms that bring heavy rain,” DeSantis said. “This project will bring a permanent solution to the ongoing water issues and help the city mitigate environmental impacts or overflows.”

The news conference comes a day after the governor visited southwest Florida to award $16.8 million to Bonita Springs for repairs to that city’s stormwater infrastructure as well.