Volusia County Receives ECHO Grants

On April 15, the County Council awarded almost $3.7 million for eight projects under the county's ECHO program, including one grant of $1.6 million for reconstruction of a flood-damaged wing at the Museum of Arts & Sciences in Daytona Beach.

The May, 2009 floods were caused by record rainfall before the start of the normal rainy season. The Executive Director of the museum, Wayne Atherholt, said, "It's built about 30 inches below the ground level. If that were rebuilt today, it would have to be 30 inches higher." He said rebuilding the damaged 20,000-square-foot portion of the museum will cost about $6 million.

Other ECHO project receiving funding include

• Gateway Center for the Arts, enhancements, $57,000
• Volusia County Parks and Recreation, Dahlia Beach Park, $92,751
• City of New Smyrna Beach, Phases I and II of the Cross Volusia Trail, $281,853
• Volusia County Parks and Recreation, Sun Splash Park, $213,754
• Wildlife Foundation of Florida, Mosquito Lagoon Marine Enhancement Center, $600,000
• City of DeBary, Rob Sullivan Park, $250,000
• City of Daytona Beach, Midtown Cultural & Education Center, $600,000

Each of the applicants received ECHO grants equal to the amounts they had requested.

ECHO is an acronym for "environmental, cultural, historic or outdoor-recreational." It is a county program to help nonprofit organizations or local governments acquire or develop projects in those areas.

The Volusia ECHO program derives its funding from a special property tax of one-fifth of a mill, or 20 cents per thousand dollars of taxable value. The tax was approved by county voters in 2000. Since its inception, Volusia ECHO has spent more than $48 million on eligible projects. Learn more at Volusia ECHO Grants-in-Aid.

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
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