VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — More than a month into a new hurricane season, so many Central Floridians are still working to rebuild after last year’s devastating storms. But some more money could soon be put to use for those hardest hit by Hurricane Ian last September.

What You Need To Know

  • The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded about $328.9 million to Volusia for Hurricane Ian recovery

  • The money is all going toward community development after Hurricane Ian damage

  • Last fall, the county estimated damages would cost more than $300 million, followed by more than $500 million from Hurricane Nicole

  • The county is holding meetings at local libraries over the next month to get community input on how to use the funds

About $328.9 million is how much the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded to the Volusia County government.

The money is going toward community development after Hurricane Ian damage, a part of HUD’s recovery initiative called Transform386. Last fall, the county estimated damages would cost more than $300 million, followed by more than $500 million from Hurricane Nicole a few weeks later.

Before the county starts using the money, leaders want to make sure the community and county are on the same page. The county is holding meetings at local libraries over the next month. This is to ensure the grant is funding projects the community believes are most beneficial when talking about ongoing disaster recovery efforts.

All Volusia County residents are invited to participate in the following community engagement meetings, scheduled to take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.:

  • Monday, July 10, at the Ormond Beach Regional Library, 30 South Beach St.

  • Thursday, July 13, at the DeLand Regional Library, 130 East Howry Ave.

  • Thursday, July 20, at the Deltona Regional Library, 2150 Eustace Ave.

  • Thursday, July 27, at the New Smyrna Beach Regional Library, 1001 South Dixie Freeway

  • Thursday, Aug. 3, at the Daytona Beach Regional Library, 105 Jackie Robinson Parkway