Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office secured millions of dollars in state funding to help support multiple projects in the county.
“It’s just going to enhance the lives of all Gadsden County citizens” says Gadsden County Superintendent Elijah Key
$75.9 million was secured for Gadsden County. Out of that money, $32 million will go to the school district’s new K-8 school.
“At this point in time its all about moving forward and doing the things that is necessary to build the school says Key.
Last year, the school district received over $70.9 million in state funding, that was to be spread over two years, to build the new school. With this year’s budget, they received the other half.
“You cant pour enough money into hardening schools and our schools are not conductive to being safe says Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young.
Young says this school will serve a greater purpose.
“Its hard for teachers to teachers to teach if they have a fear of keeping children safe in the classroom says Young.
When it’s complete, it will replace Gadsden Elementary Magnet, George Munroe, Stewart Street, and James A. Shanks Middle School.
“It is very necessary for our kids into an up-to-date facility as well as a state-of-the-art facility. The environment that you’re in helps with learning and helps with everything that goes on.”
Key says the goal is to start construction on the new school by the end of July.
There are more projects that the $75 million will be used for.
Check out the list below:
Public Safety and Emergency Management
Gadsden County Emergency Operations Center and Public Safety Complex (HF 1752) (SF 2123): $3,505,251 Havana Public Safety Upgrades (HF 3159) (SF 2294): $1,000,000 Gretna Fire & Rescue Service Mini Pumper (HF 3151) (SF 2295): $235,000 Gretna Fire Rescue Department Rapid Response (HF 3149) (SF 2292): $239,000 Midway Volunteer Fire Department Fire and Hazmat Response Vehicle (HF 2351) (SF 3586): $1,000,000 Recurring Funding to Support Salary Increases for Deputy Sheriffs & Corrections Officers: $657,697
Early Learning and Education
School Readiness Services: $4,049,906 Voluntary Prekindergarten Program: $794,493 Special Facilities Construction Account – PreK-8 (Year 2 of 2): $32,794,471
Infrastructure and Transportation
Bridge Construction: $1,223,298 Construction Inspection Consultants: $2,664,870 Highway Safety Construction Grants: $1,147,220 Preliminary Engineering Consultants: $2,100,000 Resurfacing: $20,227,800 Small County Outreach Program: $1,867,495
Community and Cultural Development
Pat Thomas Park ADA Improvements: $63,600 Shiloh Park Improvements: $54,000 Gadsden Arts, Inc. – Bell & Bates Building – Replace Windows: $30,000 Gadsden County – Old Courthouse Renovation 2nd Phase: $500,000 Havana History & Heritage Society, Inc. – Renovation for Museum Expansion & Community Uses: The Planters Exchange – A National Registered Historic Site: $500,000 City of Chattahoochee – Victory Bridge Structural Assessment: $50,000
Workforce Development and Vocational Training
Gadsden Correctional Facility: $100,000 Gadsden Adults with Disabilities Program: $100,000 Prepping Institutions, Programs, Employers, and Learners through Incentives for Nursing Education (PIPELINE) Fund: $501,264 Student Success in Career and Technical Education Incentive Fund: $2,929 Public Schools Workforce Education Program Funds: $449,348