The City of Fort Myers has been awarded $14,988,750 from the Lee Board of County Commissioners through the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program. This funding will support a critical wellfield expansion project, aimed at improving the city’s water supply infrastructure and enhancing reliability for residents.
Enhancing Water Security for the Community
The wellfield expansion project will focus on design, permitting, and construction of two Lower Hawthorn water supply wells. These additional wells will:
- Supplement the city’s current water system
- Provide high-quality potable water to residents
- Improve wellfield reliability
- Prevent service interruptions in emergencies
The project is particularly significant for an area where 51.99% of households are low-to-moderate income, ensuring that essential water infrastructure improvements reach those who need them most.
Funding for Hurricane Recovery and Infrastructure Development
This investment is part of the $1.1 billion allocated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in 2023 to support long-term disaster recovery in Lee County following Hurricane Ian. The funds are managed by the Office of Disaster Recovery within the Office of Community Planning and Development.
The City of Fort Myers applied for this funding in May 2024, and in accordance with CDBG-DR funding compliance, the project will be implemented within 24 months.
A Step Toward a More Resilient Future
With this major funding award, Fort Myers is taking proactive steps to secure and strengthen its water supply for the future. By expanding its wellfield infrastructure, the city ensures sustainable, high-quality water access, especially for vulnerable communities, while enhancing its ability to withstand future emergencies.
