High Springs, Alachua Among Recipients of Community Grants

ALACHUA COUNTY – The City of High Springs will be making improvements to a local park thanks to funding from the Duke Energy Foundation.

The Foundation recently announced $160,000 in grants to support eight local community projects in Alachua County.

A first for Duke Energy Florida, the company worked alongside the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce Foundation to identify local projects that have meaningful impacts in North-Central Florida communities.

The targeted $20,000 grants support initiatives ranging from park revitalization to signage projects, as well as equipment and plan upgrades.

In High Springs, the grant will assist the Parks and Recreation, Education and Culture Department (Parks & REC) in upgrading a popular basketball court at Walter Howard Park.

“With this grant, we plan to resurface the outdoor basketball court and upgrade the baskets at Walter Howard Park, High Springs' crown jewel pocket park,” said Damon J. Messina, Parks & R.E.C. director. “This park has been a favorite among children in our community for several years. These upgrades will ensure it will be available for many years to come.”

To help guide the economic growth and development of the community, the City of Waldo received a grant to update and enhance the city’s Comprehensive and Economic Development Plan.

“The City of Waldo’s Comprehensive and Economic Development Plan is outdated and is actually an impediment for new growth,” said City of Waldo Mayor Louie Davis. “The cost of these updates is beyond our budget at this time and this grant has made it possible for the updates to happen.”

“With the growth expected in Florida’s future, Waldo needs to be ready with a strong plan to handle the growth and development in our city,” said Davis. “Thank you, Duke Energy, for awarding grants like these for the small towns. Your dollars make a difference.”

In addition to Waldo and High Springs, revitalization grants were also awarded to additional cities and towns.

In the city of Alachua, funds will support the City’s efforts to provide educational exhibits and signage at Mill Creek Preserve to inform residents and visitors about the Mill Creek Sink Water Quality Improvement Project.

Funds will be used to add a kitchen at the Holly Hills Community Center in Archer, while in Hawthorne, funds will support the City’s Hawthorne Historical Park with educational signage, benches and grills, among other items.

The Town of LaCrosse fire department will use the funds to replace equipment used by the town's fire department and the Town of Micanopy will use the funds to support the town’s Micanopy Entry Sign Project.

In Newberry, funds will support the City’s business incubator feasibility study at Newberry AgTech Innovation Park.

The Duke Energy Foundation grants are designed to aid revitalization and local economic development efforts and to help strengthen and uplift communities.

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