No, this news isn’t as hot as the weather, but it’s still pretty steamy. Just joking.
We recommend keeping up with Tampa Bay’s slew of news while you’re stuck inside due to this extreme heat. Here’s the latest civic updates in Tampa + St. Pete:
Beach renourishment
Expensive erosion mitigation efforts were already ongoing when Helene and Milton further battered our beaches. Now, Pinellas County is seeking $50 million from the Florida Beach Management Funding Assistance Program to boost renourishment efforts.
The money would go toward the $125 million needed to replenish the coast along Treasure Island, Long Key-Upham Beach, and Sand Key. The project was set to be fully paid for by the county’s tourist dollars, but lost funding after some property owners failed to grant access to their land.
Tampa Bay Water wins $21 million
$21 million. That’s how much the utility just received in a settlement against makers of ‘forever chemicals,” according to the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
Tampa Bay Water sued the manufacturers for using the synthetic chemicals — which can cause cancer and other health problems — to treat water supply. The money may be used to clean out the area’s water supply. The utility is still ironing out a treatment plan.
Pinellas invests in manufacturers
Pinellas County is keeping it local. County commissioners just voted to allocate $8.4 million to manufacturers to storm-harden facilities, according to St. Pete Catalyst.
Four locally-headquartered companies — Monin Americas, Bardmoor Palms Redevelopment, Pharmetric Laboratory, and St. Joseph’s Holdings — will take on projects in the Pinellas County Employment Sites Program, from raising building sites to adding new stormwater systems.
