On June 20, 2025, the Lasting Manatee (CDBG-DR) team met with ResilientSRQ, Sarasota County’s Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, for a productive cross-county dialogue at their Cattleman Road office. Both Counties are advancing recovery efforts under HUD’S 2024 CDBG-DR award, which supports areas impacted by Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton. Since Sarasota has already implemented programs from the 2022 CDBG-DR allocation (related to Hurricane Ian), the meeting was an opportunity to gain insights from their valuable experience, exchange strategies, share ideas, and strengthen our regional partnership.
This visit built on an earlier connection between our teams, first established during ResilientSRQ’s regional CDBG-DR workshop on March 6, which brought together CDBG-DR teams from several neighboring counties. As that session offered a broad introduction to their program, this follow-up provided a more focused setting for continued dialogue. This also marked the first visit to ResilientSRQ for our two new Grant Administrators (CDBG-DR), who joined the meeting alongside staff involved in shaping the Lasting Manatee initiative from the start.
Our teams discussed recovery timelines, community outreach, contractor oversight, and effective approaches for building programs that meet local needs. We also explored ways to stay aligned with federal guidance and maintain momentum as recovery efforts move into their next phase.
Hearing how ResilientSRQ structured their program development gave us valuable insights to consider as we build out the policies and procedures for our own launch of grant-funded programs (estimated by early 2026). Their willingness to share real-world examples, planning tools, and outreach strategies highlighted how knowledge-sharing between counties helps everyone strengthen their approach. Exchanges like this one reflect our team’s commitment to being thoughtful, thorough, and collaborative every step of the way.
To learn more about Lasting Manatee (CDBG-DR) and sign up for email notifications, visit mymanatee.org/lastingmanatee.