District reimbursed $7.1 million for temporary facility for Hector A. Cafferata Elementary School
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FEMA has reimbursed the Lee County School District $7.1 million for the Hector A. Cafferata Elementary School's temporary facility under its Public Assistance program.
FEMA provided nearly $371 million to Florida in the past 90 days from post-disaster grant programs, including Hurricane Ian.
The funds recently reimbursed to the district, were part of more than $69 million in awards under the program.
"The School District thanks U.S. Senator Rick Scott, U.S. Senator Ashley Moody, U.S. Representative Greg Steube, the White House, and our federal agency partners for helping secure a $7.1 million FEMA award," Lee School District spokesperson Rob Spicker said. "This award recognizes the costs incurred to build and run the temporary Hector A. Cafferata Jr. Elementary School campus after Hurricane Ian. This is not new discretionary funding for the School District. Rather, the $7.1 million will act as a reimbursement credit against the School District's $55 million Legislative Appropriation Program (LAP) loan, which funded post-hurricane cleanup and repairs at 35 schools."
He said in 2022, during a special session, the Florida Legislature created the LAP to provide loans in advance of funding through the FEMA Public Assistance Program to aid Hurricane Ian recovery and repair.
More than $89 million in funding was approved by FEMA to support more than 70 recovery and hazard mitigation projects in Florida communities that were affected by Hurricanes Debby, Helene, Milton, and other past disasters.
More than $14 million in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds were provided by FEMA to the state for its Elevate Florida initiative, as well as other projects. The program funds cost-effective measures designed to protect property and lives during a future disaster.
FEMA provided another $5 million to help Florida implement its disaster unemployment and disaster case management programs.