County News

Franklin County plans to apply to the Florida Department of Commerce for a FFY 2025 Small  Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) of $1,769.250.00 in the Neighborhood Revitalization category. The activities, dollar amounts and estimated percentage benefit to lowand moderate-income persons are as follows:

Activity Name / CDBG Funding / LMI Benefit
Administration / $84,250 / N/A
Engineering /$235,000 / N/A
New Sewer Lines / $267,625 / 54%
New Sewer Hookups / $167,375 / 100%
Fire Hydrants /$ 65,000 / 54%
Ground Storage Tank / $400,000 / 54%
Lift Station /$550,000 / 54%

The County, in partnership with the Eastpoint Water-Sewer District (EWSD) will install approximately 3,500 linear feet of new sewer lines to serve existing homes and allow for future development of workforce housing along State Route 65 in Franklin County. New sewer hookups will be available for 25 newly constructed low- and moderate-income households and up to 40 existing low- and moderate-income households and within the project boundary. Following sewer installation, new fire hydrants will be installed for increase fire protection for new and existing low- and moderate-income households. Activities also include the design and installation of a 30,000-gallon storage tank and a secondary lift station to accept the increase in sewer from the future development of new workforce housing units.

Franklin County does not expect that anyone will be displaced as a result of CDBG-funded activities. If any persons are displaced as a result of the planned activities Franklin County will assist them as described in the County’s anti-displacement and relocation policy, which is available for review at the Franklin County Courthouse Annex located at 34 Forbes Street, Apalachicola, Florida 32320.

A public hearing to provide citizens an opportunity to comment on the draft application will be held at the Franklin County Courthouse Annex, 34 Forbes Street, Apalachicola, Florida 32320 on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. during the regularly scheduled Board of County
Commissioners Meeting. For information concerning the public hearing, contact Erin Griffith, Fiscal Manager / Grants Coordinator, at (850) 653-5143 or by e-mail at erin@franklincountyflorida.com. A draft copy of the application will also be available for review during normal business hours in the Franklin County Administration Building located at 248 Highway 98, Eastpoint, FL 32328 at noon on April 10, 2026. Persons wanting to submit written comments on the draft application should send them to Erin Griffith, Fiscal Manager/Grants Coordinator, by email at erin@franklincountyflorida.com or by mail to 33 Market Street, Suite 203, Apalachicola, Florida 32320 no later than April 22, 2026.

The public hearing is being conducted in a handicapped accessible location. Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in the hearing is asked to advise the County at least five days before the hearing by contacting Jessica Gay at 850-653-8861. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the County using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800) 955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800) 955-8770 (Voice).

Any non-English speaking person wishing to attend the public hearing should contact Jessica Gay at 850-653-8861 at least five days prior to the hearing and an interpreter will be provided.

Agenda

Meeting Date: 5/21/2026
Meeting Time: 1:00 P.M. (E.S.T)
Meeting Location: Franklin County School District-
District Office Board Room- 85 School Rd., Eastpoint, FL.32320

1:00 P.M. E.S.T. Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, Prayer
(BOCC Chairman Ricky Jones)

1. Action Item- Board Approval of Opportunity Zone 2.0 Recommendation-
Florida Commerce-Airport Parcel I D & MAPS

2. Action Item-BOCC approved Website Proposal (Confirmation)

3. Action Item-BOCC approved designation letter t o Florida Commerce
(Confirmation)

1:10 P.M. E.S.T. EDC-Economic Strategy- Tidemark Marketing-Tana Kendrick
Development Council Website Proposal &

1:30 P.M. E.S.T. Franklin County TDC-Gulf Coast (Mission, Operations, & Partnership) John Solomon-Executive Director

2:00 P.M. E.S.T. Apalachee Regional Planning Council- (Mission, Strategy, & Collaboration)-Caroline Smith

2:30 P.M. EST- Board Member Q&A/SWOT-Strategy Discussion

3:00 P.M. Public Comment-Adjournment

AGENDA

Meeting Date: 4/16/2026 Meeting Time: 1:00 P.M. (E.S.T)
Meeting Location: Franklin County School District-
District Office Board Room- 85 School Rd., Eastpoint, FL.32320

1:00 P.M. E.S.T. Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, Prayer (BOCC Chairman Ricky Jones)

1:10 P.M. E.S.T. Public Comment

1:15 P.M. E.S.T. Legal Structure Update & BOCC Approval/Designation-Kristy Branch Banks & Bill Williams

1:30 P.M. E.S.T. CareerSource-Gulf Coast (Mission, Operations, & Partnership) Kim Bodine-Executive Director

2:00 P.M. E.S.T. Gulf County EDC- (Mission, Strategy, & Collaboration) Jim McKnight-Executive Director

2:30 P.M. EST- Board Member Q&A/Strategy

3:00 P.M. Public Comment-Adjournment

The Franklin County SHIP program is currently undergoing system and processing updates. We are not processing applications at this time. We will issue a public notice once these updates are complete and application processing is reestablished. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We appreciate your patience as we update and streamline our processes.

FINAL PUBLIC NOTICE

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has received the subgrant application for Franklin County’s Island View Park parking area repair due to damages from Hurricane Michael (DR-4399-FL PW 01268 PN 81073).  Pursuant to Executive Order 11988 and 44 CFR Part 9.12, final notice is hereby given of FEMA’s intent to provide funding for this project under the Public Assistance (PA) Program.

An initial disaster-wide Public Notice was published October 30, 2018, for Hurricane Michael.  Comments and other information received were fully evaluated by FEMA along with evaluation of social, economic, environmental, and safety considerations. This notice serves as a project-specific final notice for FEMA’s funding action located within the floodplain.

Funding for the project will be conditional upon compliance with all applicable federal, tribal, state and local laws, regulations, floodplain standards, permit requirements and conditions. This action complies with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements.

Responsible Entity:                       FEMA Public Assistance (PA) Program

Applicant:                                              Franklin County

Project Title(s):                                   PA-04-FL-4399-PW-01268 [81073]; Island View Park E of Carrabelle

Location of Proposed Work:   GPS: (29.85360, -84.65387)

Floodplain:                                            Project is located in the VE Zone, otherwise known as the Coastal High Hazard Area, per Franklin County FIRM Panel # 112037C0435G dated 10/10/2024.

Proposed Work and Purpose: This project was previously posted for public comment on 05/13/2020. Franklin County repaired the East and West piers, miscellaneous systems, and parking area, including hazard mitigation measures to the piers and sidewalks. It has since been amended to capture the Scope of Work as it was performed, which entailed upgrading the parking area with asphalt as an improved project. This Final Public Notice has been updated to include the parking area improvements captured in the amended project.

The applicant removed damaged concrete pavers and resurfaced the 7,291 sq. ft. parking area with asphalt as an improved project. The mitigation measures utilized in pier repairs and the resurfaced parking area promote the parks intended purpose providing recreational and beneficial value to the community.

Project Alternatives:                     The no action alternative has been considered.  This alternative is not practicable due to the social, economic, and recreational resources the community would lose by abandoning the park. Alternate locations were not considered as the piers, and associated facilities are functionally dependent upon their locations within the costal floodplain.

Comments:                                           This will serve as the final public notice regarding the above-described action funded by the FEMA PA program.  Interested persons may submit comments, questions, or request a map of this specific project by writing to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region 4, 3005 Chamblee-Tucker Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30341 or by emailing FEMA-R4EHP-FLORIDA@fema.dhs.gov. Comments should be sent in writing with the subject line FL-4399-PW-01268, Franklin County at the above address within 15 days of the date of this notice.

Update: September 29, 2025

Big Bend Transit (BBT) is pleased to share that registered passengers in Franklin County ride free on our local services.
In addition, we are offering the following free regional trips:

• Tuesdays: Walmart shopping trips in Crawfordville
• Thursdays:  Trips to Tallahassee

To help connect eligible residents, please share our Passenger Applications, Ride Brochures, and Rider Guides with potential passengers through your offices, partner agencies, and other community locations.

How to Register
Residents who have not yet registered can contact our office to obtain an application or access materials online. Paper copies are available upon request.

Materials for Distribution (attached/available upon request):

• Passenger Application
• Ride Brochure
• Rider Guide

Thank you for your ongoing partnership in improving mobility for Franklin County. If you require bulk copies or have questions about scheduling, eligibility, or coordination, please don’t hesitate to let us know—BBT is ready to assist.

Big Bend Transit, Inc.

P.O. Box 1721

Tallahassee,  FL  32302

850-574-6266 Ext. 101

850-574-1531 Fax

smitchell@bigbendtransit.org

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Free Transportation Now Available in Gulf and Franklin Counties
Big Bend Transit Offers Rides for Medical, Work, School, Shopping, and More – Apply Today!

GULF & FRANKLIN COUNTIES, FL – Big Bend Transit (BBT) is excited to announce the launch of free weekday transportation for eligible residents in Gulf and Franklin Counties through Florida’s Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) Program.

This program offers free rides Monday through Friday to help residents get to:

• Doctor appointments
• Jobs and interviews
• School or training programs
• Grocery stores, pharmacies, and more

Services are available at no cost once your TD application is approved. Residents may qualify for this free transportation service if they are:

• Age 60 or older
• Have a low income (based on federal poverty guidelines)
• Have a disability or health condition preventing you from driving
• Do not own or have access to a vehicle
• Cannot afford to travel by other means

“This program is for people who need transportation help but don’t have it,” said Shawn Mitchell, General Manager of Big Bend Transit. “We want seniors, low-income families, and people with disabilities to know that reliable, free transportation is now available — and we’ll help you apply.”

To get started, call your county’s transit line to request an application. A staff member will guide you through the eligibility process, help you fill out your paperwork, and schedule your rides once approved.

• Gulf County: (850) 229-6550
• Franklin County: (850) 229-6550

Big Bend Transit is hiring drivers and dispatchers in both counties. If you’re community minded and looking for meaningful work, apply today and become part of a mission that matters.

In addition, Big Bend Transit has been a valuable partner for the RideOn program by offering both transit solutions and extended coverage for the Emergency Ride Home (ERH) service available in the areas they serve. To qualify for the ERH, sign up and begin logging your commute trips here: www.rideontogether.org.