Escambia County will receive $21.8 million from the Florida Division of Emergency Management through Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursement, which will go directly toward the county’s $145 million correctional facility project.
“On behalf of the board of commissioners, I'd like to thank the Escambia County legislative delegation chairman, Sen. Doug Broxson, and Rep. Alex Andrade, for their continued support of this project,” Commission Chairman Lumon May said. “Sen. Broxson has been working with our county administrator for the past six weeks on these reimbursements and we appreciate his efforts and diligence in delivering these funds.”
To date, the county has received over $111 million in funding for the correctional facility project from bond proceeds, Local Option Sales Tax, the State of Florida and FEMA.
"These funds get us closer to the completion of this priority project for our community," Sen. Doug Broxson said. " Making sure that Escambia County gets to close the door on a devasting incident and move forward is important and I am thankful to be able to provide meaningful assistance."
Whitesell-Green/Caddell construction crews broke ground on the correctional facility in November 2018 and the project is on track for completion by mid-2020. The new building is located near the southeast corner of North Pace Boulevard and West Fairfield Drive and will serve as the central booking facility and juvenile housing area.
The facility is expected to provide approximately 90 new jobs. The three-story building will house 784 inmates and include an inmate intake and receiving area, and dining and kitchen service areas that will serve both the old and new facilities.