Funded projects will include connecting Wimauma area customers to water and sewer service

This week, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners approved more than $12 million in local projects that will be funded through the American Rescue Plan Act. The projects will create affordable housing, convert septic tank connections to centralized wastewater systems, and improve two local playgrounds.

The largest portion of the money - $6.9 million - will be used to help the East Tampa Business & Civic Association acquire and rehabilitate a total of 28 multifamily rental properties on East 140th Avenue and North 23rd Street in Tampa. All of the units will be leased at below-market rent to residents making at or below 80 percent of the area median income.

Another $3.3 million will go toward improvements at two parks: Progress Village Park, 8701 Progress Blvd., Tampa, FL 33619, and Kings Forest Park, 8008 E. Chelsea St., Tampa, FL 33610.

The Board of County Commissioners also approved $2 million to connect Wimauma area customers to water and sewer service. The funding will be used to pay for residential and commercial connection charges for water and sewer service in the Wimauma project impact area.

About the Hillsborough County American Rescue Plan Investment Plan

The Hillsborough County American Rescue Plan Investment Plan, approved by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) on Sept. 1, 2021, provides a framework for investing the $285 million in federal Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds in the community. The funding will support vital projects throughout the county related to water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure; public health response; negative economic impacts; and revenue replacement for certain government services. Projects funded by Hillsborough County must meet the guidelines established by the federal government while addressing the County's unique community needs and reflecting the BOCC's collective values in addressing residents' needs. The $12.2 million for the affordable housing, water and sewer, and park projects comes from this plan by the BOCC.