FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 GRANT UPDATE
A Message from Mayor Freddie Foster
Dear Residents of Key Colony Beach,
As Fiscal Year 2025-2026 comes to a close, I would like to take a moment to reflect on what we have accomplished together and provide an update on one area that has made a tremendous difference for our City: grant funding.
Throughout the year, your City Commission and staff have remained focused on improving our community while being responsible stewards of your tax dollars. One of the most effective ways we have done that is by actively pursuing grant opportunities that allow us to complete important projects with little or no impact on local property taxes.
The City has secured more than $16.7 million in grant funding for projects that improve the quality of life for our residents, strengthen our infrastructure, and make our community more resilient. This includes $7.5 million in funding through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Stewardship Grant over the next five years for wastewater and stormwater improvements, canal cleanup, and related environmental projects. These investments also include improvements to our parks and recreational facilities, City Hall, flood mitigation efforts, and other important community projects.
Our work does not stop there. The City has also submitted applications for an additional $2.38 million in grant funding for future projects, including enhancements to Sunset Park and 7th Street Park, recreational amenities, wastewater improvements, and coastal resiliency initiatives.
These accomplishments would not have been possible without the dedication of many people working together. I want to thank my fellow Commissioners, our City Administrator, City Clerk, department heads, staff, grant partners, and state and local agencies for their hard work and commitment to serving our community.
While there is always more to do, I am proud of what we have accomplished this fiscal year. Every grant awarded represents an investment in the future of Key Colony Beach and helps us continue improving our City while minimizing the financial burden on our residents.
Thank you for your continued trust, support, and pride in our wonderful community. It is an honor to serve as your Mayor, and I look forward to another successful year working together to keep Key Colony Beach the Gem of the Florida Keys.
With appreciation,
Freddie Foster
Mayor, City of Key Colony Beach
Please click HERE for a downloadable copy of the Mayor’s message.
Grant Awards Secured
The following grants and appropriations support current, ongoing, and recently completed City projects:
| Project | Funding Source | Grant Amount | Local Match | |
| Pickleball/Tennis Court Construction | FRDAP Grant | $50,000 | $0 | |
| Pickleball/Tennis Court Construction | TDC Grant | $50,000 | $0 | |
| Sunset Park Shade Sails | FRDAP Grant | $50,000 | $0 | |
| Wastewater – UV Tank Replacement | DEP Grant | $1,000,000 | $0 | |
| Stormwater Improvements – 7th, 9th, 10th & 11th Streets and Shelter Bay Drive | DEP Grant | $2,600,000 | $0 | |
| Wastewater – Generator Replacement | DEP Appropriation | $475,000 | $0 | |
| Ocean Drive Flooding Improvements | DEP Grant | $2,277,610 | $60,000 | |
| City Hall Project | Resilient Florida Grant | $2,282,859.28 | $0 | |
| Pickleball Court Shade Sails | TDC Grant | $255,000 | $76,500 | |
| Sunset Park Pier Improvements | TDC Grant | $19,600 | $0 | |
| Wastewater Lift Station Elevation | FDEM Hurricane Loss Mitigation Grant | $230,500 | $0 | |
| Wastewater/Stormwater Improvements, Canal Cleanup and Related Projects | DEP Stewardship Grant (five-year funding) | $7,500,000 | $0 | |
| TOTAL AWARDED | $16,790,569.28 | |||
More than $16.7 million in grant funding has been secured for City projects, including $7.5 million in DEP Stewardship Grant funding over the next five years, reducing the amount that must be supported through local property taxes.
Grant Applications Pending
The City has also submitted the following applications for future funding opportunities:
| Project | Funding Source | Grant Amount | Local Match | |
| Sunset Park Gazebo | TDC Capital Grant FY 2027 | $69,000 | $0 | |
| Pickleball Restroom | TDC Capital Grant FY 2027 | $115,000 | $34,500 | |
| 7th Street Park Restroom | TDC Capital Grant FY 2027 | $115,000 | $34,500 | |
| 7th Street Park Fitness Trail | TDC Capital Grant FY 2027 | $149,000 | $44,700 | |
| City Hall Dynamic Message Sign | TDC Capital Grant FY 2027 | $75,000 | $0 | |
| 7th Street Park Basketball Court | TDC Capital Grant FY 2027 | $110,000 | $33,000 | |
| Wastewater Plant | Small Cities CDBG Grant | $1,500,000 | $0 | |
| Beach Erosion Study / Wave Attenuation Devices | DEP Beach Management Grant | $250,000 | $50,000 | |
| TOTAL PENDING | $2,383,000 | |||
These applications support continued investment in public facilities, recreation, wastewater infrastructure, and shoreline resilience.
Grant Funding at a Glance
| Grant Funding Awarded | $16,790,569.28 |
| Grant Funding Pending | $2,383,000.00 |
| Total Funding Pursued | $19,173,569.28 |