EPA awards Lee County, foundation nearly $20M for disaster readiness

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently awarded Lee County and the Collaboratory nearly $19.3 million to help disadvantaged communities tackle environmental challenges related to disaster preparedness. 

The funding, according to a statement, will “increase community resilience, reduce pollution and build community capacity.” The Collaboratory is a Southwest Florida community foundation with $169 million in assets.

The project, the release states, will invest in four organizations to create the foundation of a network of community resilience hubs to support residents during emergencies, such as hurricanes. Resilience hubs are locations that provide supplies or social services residents need every day. The hubs are: