WATERFRONTS FLORIDA PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM  NOTICE OF APPLICATION PERIOD – 2009-2011

The Department of Community Affairs announces the availability of forms for application for designation as a Waterfronts Florida Partnership Community. The Waterfronts Florida Partnership Program provides technical assistance, training, and small planning grants to working waterfront communities for revitalization efforts. Communities develop and implement special area management plans that address such issues as community visioning, maintaining a viable traditional waterfront economy, hazard mitigation, environmental and cultural resource protection, and public access. New communities are designated every two years.

DEADLINE: The deadline for submitting applications shall be 4:30 p.m. (EDT) on Tuesday, May 19, 2009. Applications must be received by the Department of Community Affairs by the above-stated deadline. Applications received after the published deadline shall be deemed late and will not be considered by the Department.

ELIGIBILITY: Local governments and non-profit environmental organizations working with local governments are eligible to apply for designation. The community must be located within a county or municipality that is required to adopt a coastal element as part of its local government comprehensive plan. The designated waterfront area cannot be a major deep water port (i.e., it cannot generate more than $5 million annually in operating revenues).

APPLICATION FORMS: Applications for designation must be made on the Waterfronts Florida Application Form. Copies of the application form may be obtained by calling (850)921-4801 or by writing: Department of Community Affairs, Waterfronts Florida Partnership Program, 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100.

ADDRESS: For mail and carrier service deliveries, the delivery address is: Waterfronts Florida Partnership Program, 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Suite 310, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100. For hand deliveries, the delivery location is Suite 310, Sadowski Building, 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida.

FUNDS AVAILABLE: The Department of Community Affairs expects that $25,000 per community will be available for grant awards during the 2009-2010 state fiscal year and an additional $25,000 per community will be available for continuation grant awards during the 2010-2011 state fiscal year. The program is financed in part with a grant from the Florida Coastal Management Program, Department of Environmental Protection, made possible through a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

LOCAL MATCH: Applicants must commit a dollar-for-dollar match, either cash (non-federal funds) or in-kind. As a condition of the designation, applicants must also commit to provide a local program manager.

MORE INFORMATION: Interested parties may obtain more information from the Department’s website at www.dca.state.fl.us/fdcp/dcp/waterfronts, by contacting the Department at (850)921-4801 or by writing the above-stated address.