Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced nearly $5 million in strategic grant awards through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Office of Energy to support energy efficiency upgrades at publicly owned water and wastewater treatment facilities in fiscally constrained counties across the state.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced nearly $5 million in strategic grant awards through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Office of Energy to support energy efficiency upgrades at publicly owned water and wastewater treatment facilities in fiscally constrained counties across the state.
“These are smart, conservative investments that deliver real results for Florida taxpayers,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “We're helping rural communities reduce energy costs, improve essential infrastructure, and strengthen long-term reliability – without expanding government or wasting resources.”
The Florida Local Government Water and Wastewater Treatment Facility Energy Efficiency Program focused on funding energy efficiency improvements that reduce operating costs and improve performance at some of the state’s most vital public facilities. Only publicly owned utilities in counties designated as fiscally constrained under Florida law were eligible to apply. Projects were evaluated based on their projected impact, return on investment, and long-term value to local ratepayers.
Awarded entities include:
| Local Government or Utility | Award Amount |
|---|---|
| Town of Greenville | $750,000.00 |
| City of Marianna | $721,500.00 |
| City of Cottondale | $650,000.00 |
| City of Chipley | $661,500.00 |
| Okeechobee Utility Authority | $647,000.00 |
| Town of Alford | $475,300.00 |
| Wakulla County BOCC | $619,375.00 |
| Putnam County BOCC | $371,298.00 |
| Town of Campbellton | $371,298.00 |
Examples of eligible upgrades include new pumps, motors, energy management systems, high-efficiency lighting, and other improvements that lower the energy required to process water and wastewater.
For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov.
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