State funds help bring new business to Holmes County
Building a strong economy starts with sturdy infrastructure. It’s not an easy or cheap task, especially for some of our more rural communities, but it’s one Governor Ron DeSantis is working to support. Last week, he announced $5 million in funding will be going towards infrastructure improvement projects in the panhandle.
The money is being funded through the Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF) program, which is administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. It’s going towards upgrading water and wastewater utilities, constructing public roadways, and public building renovations in Calhoun, Gadsden, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, and Washington counties.
The former Bonifay Middle School was left to rot when the doors shut in 2018. What some considered a lost cause, the Holmes County Development Commission saw an opportunity.
“What we’re trying to do is get jobs for people,” Joe Rone, Executive Director of the Holmes County Development Commission, said.