The Department of Community Affairs says its Florida Communities Trust program will be able to fund two additional land acquisition projects in Northwest Florida, thanks to effective negotiations that reduced the cost of other acquisitions approved last year.

The newly funded grants will direct almost $7.9 million to purchase property in Apalachicola and Wakulla County. When local matching funds are added, more than $12 million will go toward the purchase of land for public recreation and open space areas.

The additional projects to be funded with FCT grants are:

•The fifth phase of the Apalachicola Riverwalk, located in the historic Franklin County coastal community of Apalachicola. The acquisition will protect the city's historic waterfront area from commercial development and provide needed public access to the Apalachicola River. The proposed recreational amenities for the park include a picnic pavilion, wildlife observation platform, tetherball court, and fishing pier. The city applied for a grant of $1.1 million, with no local matching funds required.

“This phase of the Riverwalk project will be one of the first sights visitors to the area will see as they enter Apalachicola,” said Cindi Giametta, planning and grants manager for the City of Apalachicola. “The Commissioners and citizens of Apalachicola are appreciative of Florida Communities Trust for the opportunity to improve our recreational facilities and open spaces. These open spaces are one of the trademarks of Apalachicola and represent Apalachicola's continued commitment to the preservation of this unique waterfront in our community.”

•The Big Bend Maritime Center in Wakulla County, located on Dickerson Bay in the coastal community of Panacea. The six-acre property is adjacent to an existing county park and includes a residence that will be converted into a maritime history museum. The county will construct a nature trail, fishing pier, wildlife observation platforms, and picnic pavilions for the public to enjoy. The county applied for a grant of $3.9 million, with no local matching funds required.

“Wakulla County is very excited about the project,” said Tim Barden, director of the county’s Office of Management and Budget. “This is a worthwhile project and we are looking forward to providing a maritime museum to the citizens of Wakulla County and the Big Bend Area.”

Florida Communities Trust is a state land acquisition grant program that has provided more than $687 million to local governments to preserve parks and recreational space.

The Department of Community Affairs helps meet the needs of Floridians by investing in communities and working with them to plan and manage growth.

For more information regarding the Department and the Florida Communities Trust program, please visit www.dca.state.fl.us.