ICYMI: Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia Announces the Availability of Disaster Funding at Roundtable Discussion Alongside the Trump Administration

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.-Yesterday, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Blaise Ingoglia hosted a roundtable discussion alongside Trump Administration officials from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Economic Development Administration to highlight economic development funding for communities impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The roundtable discussion included Florida Secretary of Commerce Alex Kelly, CareerSource Florida President and CEO Adrienne Johnston, and U.S. Department of Commerce Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Rob McLeod.

Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia said, "It is an honor to work alongside the Trump Administration to ensure that local communities can utilize these funds and strengthen their infrastructure against a future storm. Investing in economic development and infrastructure hardening after a storm helps communities become stronger and more resilient. The Trump Administration, through the U.S. EDA and the U.S. Department of Commerce, is taking a hands-on approach to long-term economic development and disaster recovery efforts, which is a welcome change of pace from the previous administration. I look forward to continuing this important work and ensuring that Florida communities are building back more resilient."

Rob McLeod, U.S. Department of Commerce Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, said, "President Trump and Secretary Lutnick are committed to helping communities impacted by natural disasters, supporting long-term economic planning and vital project development. The Disaster Supplemental funding program reflects that mission, putting the needs of local American economies first, empowering Florida communities to rebuild stronger, protect local jobs, and advance the local economic visions they've set for their future."

Florida Secretary of Commerce Alex Kelly said, "We're grateful for the EDA's support and these additional funding opportunities with significant command focus on investment in the long-term strength and resiliency of Florida's communities. In particular, we appreciate the EDA's dual focus of long-term recovery for sectors like the North Florida timber industry, and equally deliberate focus on how Florida's strengths in defense, maritime, aerospace and aviation can both create great jobs and contribute to the nation."

CareerSource Florida President and CEO Adrienne Johnston said, "An impact we see after a storm is a temporary dip in labor force participation and an increase in unemployment. Thanks to Florida's increasingly diverse economy, those numbers tend to bounce back very quickly; however, for some industries and communities the impacts can linger. With the opportunity from the US EDA, Florida has a chance to help industry to come back stronger and bolster our resilient workforce."

The Trump Administration is committed to unleashing the potential of the American economy, affording all Americans the opportunity to pursue their version of the American dream. However, nature often has other plans when damaging storms and unforeseen, destructive natural disasters occur. The Economic Development Administration (EDA) FY 2025 Disaster Supplemental Grant Program makes approximately $1.45 billion in disaster recovery funding available to communities that received major disaster declarations due to hurricanes, wildfires, severe storms and flooding, tornadoes, and other natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2023 and 2024.

Learn more about the grant program here.