St. Petersburg gets $2M for Shore Acres flood relief
The city of St. Petersburg has received a $2 million appropriation in the 2026-27 state budget to help improve flooding issues caused by heavy rains in the Shores Acres neighborhood.
The funding will be used to upgrade stormwater flows and protect homes during “wet weather events,” Mayor Kenneth T. Welch said in a press release.
The project was chosen to be included in the city’s St. Pete Agile Resilience plan, which will accelerate the start of the work, allowing it to begin earlier than initially scheduled, Welch added.
“After Hurricanes Helene and Milton, it was clear that Shore Acres needed help with real, on-the-ground infrastructure needs,” said state Sen. Nick DiCeglie, who with state Rep. Lindsay Cross sponsored the legislation. “I saw the repeated flooding and storm damage these neighborhoods were facing and worked hard to secure state funding to help address it. This $3 million investment across two fiscal years will support flood mitigation, stormwater improvements, and storm-damage infrastructure.”
The project will improve the resilience of the stormwater system and reduce the risk of surface water flooding by upsizing system components and installing a new pump system.
Webinars to discuss water conservation
ST. PETERSBURG — The city has scheduled a series of free water conservation webinars through December, giving residents the opportunity to learn ways to save water and create more sustainable home landscapes.
Led by knowledgeable presenters, the educational sessions cover topics ranging from rain barrels and rain gardens to efficient irrigation, drought-tolerant plants, and water-smart landscaping. The city has also developed and is hosting a new workshop to teach residents about the current water restrictions.
These interactive webinars are open to the public and designed for all experience levels. Registration is required to attend.
Registration and a full list of topics and dates of presentation is available at https://tinyurl.com/3szr6vra
Last chance for free sprinkler system checkup
ST. PETERSBURG — The city’s free Sensible Sprinkling Program, which helps residents and businesses improve the efficiency of their irrigation systems with the guidance of a local expert, is closing on Sept. 30.
This free service is still currently available to city water customers with operable, in-ground sprinkler systems using potable, reclaimed, or well water. Eligible customers will receive, at no charge, a sprinkler system evaluation, a water efficiency report with site-specific recommendations, a diagram of the existing sprinkler layout, free installation of a rain sensor, and personalized water conservation tips.
More information and the program application are available at https://tinyurl.com/2vu2jwaa
St. Pete launches ‘Yes in God’s Backyard’
The city of St. Petersburg has launched its “Yes in God’s Backyard” (YIGBY) program, kicking off a new initiative to help local houses of worship explore developing affordable housing on land they own.
The program’s first information session for interested congregations will be held on Wednesday, July 28, at 10 a.m. at the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg’s Center for Health Equity. The session will introduce the YIGBY process, outline the technical assistance available through FHC, and give houses of worship the opportunity to ask questions about next steps.
The city’s Office of Community Impact will lead the program in partnership with the Florida Housing Coalition, which will serve as the city’s technical assistance consultant, providing direct, individualized guidance to participating congregations. The Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg joins as an additional collaborator, hosting the program’s first information session.
Through the new program, OCI and FHC will offer a combination of education and one-on-one technical assistance to interested congregations, including help evaluating site feasibility, understanding the City’s YIGBY site plan review process, and navigating funding resources such as the state’s Predevelopment Loan Program.
The FHC has estimated that activating YIGBY could unlock more than 30,000 parcels for affordable housing development statewide.
City creates “Sunrise” to support nonprofits
ST. PETERSBURG — The city of St. Petersburg is launching the Sunrise St. Pete Nonprofit Community Support Services program, a new initiative to provide funding to nonprofit organizations delivering critical services to residents recovering from Hurricanes Idalia and Helene.
The NPCSS program will have multiple grant opportunities and is designed to strengthen the nonprofit sector’s ability to meet those needs while helping St. Petersburg residents recover, rebuild and become more resilient in the face of future disasters.
The NPCSS Program will release a series of Requests for Applications (RFAs), each focused on a specific community need. The first funding opportunity will support mental health services and wraparound care, including case management, assertive outreach and clinical mental health services provided by eligible nonprofit organizations serving St. Petersburg residents.
The city anticipates awarding approximately $1.25 million in total funding through this initial RFA.
A virtual information session was held July 17. A recording of the session has been posted online.
An application question period continues through Friday, Aug. 7, at 5 p.m. Applications are due: Friday, Aug. 28, at 3 p.m.
Tentative City Council award approval is Thursday, Nov. 19.
Additional information is available at stpete.org/SunriseStPete.
Applications open for GROW program, Academy
ST. PETERSBURG — The application period is now open for two educational programs designed to help businesses qualify and compete for opportunities within the city: the G.R.O.W. Program and the Ready. Set. Bid. Academy.
Businesses interested in the G.R.O.W. Program must apply by Monday, July 27. Seats are limited to the first 15 businesses qualified. Those interested in the Ready. Set. Bid. Academy must apply by Tuesday, July 28.
Developed in partnership with the Office of Supplier Development and The Greenhouse, G.R.O.W gives small businesses the knowledge and tools they need to understand City resources and navigate the certification process.
The G.R.O.W. Program is a nine-week technical assistance course beginning Sept. 10. Participants will receive instruction on how to get certified through the City’s Office of Supplier Development and various business enterprise programs.
Graduates may also qualify for funding opportunities through a local credit union partner, giving their business an added boost toward long-term growth and sustainability.
Developed by the Office of Supplier Development, the Ready. Set. Bid. Academy is an initiative designed to help local businesses strengthen their ability to compete for government contracting opportunities. This nine-week training program begins Aug. 21 and is for small businesses ready to compete for government contracts in construction, professional services, and goods & services.
The program equips businesses with knowledge, tools, and strategies needed to successfully pursue public sector contracts. Through hands-on training, participants will:
Interested businesses can learn more and apply at https://tinyurl.com/pxt4m4ds or https://tinyurl.com/5n7fwevt
28th Annual Showcase of Services set
ST. PETERSBURG — The 28th Annual Showcase of Services will take place Thursday, Aug. 6, 10 am. to 3 p.m., at The Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N.
Hosted by People Empowering & Restoring Communities (PERC) and touting the theme “Bridge to Success,” the showcase will provide access to one of the region’s largest community resource and career events, designed to help individuals and families move toward stability, employment, and long-term success.
Returning to the community after incarceration often comes with significant challenges, and the showcase was created to address those challenges by connecting returning citizens directly with organizations that are committed to helping them successfully transition back into their communities. At the same time, the event serves anyone seeking employment, career advancement, education, healthcare, housing assistance, expungement clinic, or supportive services for themselves and their families.
One of the signature highlights of this year’s event is the Returning Citizens Expungement Clinic and Resource Panel. Legal professionals and reentry specialists will provide information on expungement eligibility, legal rights, available services, and practical strategies for overcoming barriers to employment and housing. The panel will offer attendees the opportunity to hear directly from professionals working to improve second-chance opportunities throughout the region.
Healthcare services will be available through BayCare and the Florida Department of Health, providing free medical screenings, health education, preventive care information, and referrals to ongoing medical, behavioral health, and wellness services.
This year’s event is made possible through the partnership of PERC, Pinellas County Urban League, The HUB, Supportive Equity Connections of Tampa Bay (SEC), the City of St. Petersburg, Goodwill Industries–Suncoast, Operation New Hope, CareerSource Tampa Bay, and St. Petersburg College, along with dozens of additional nonprofit organizations, employers, healthcare providers, and community agencies.
Admission is free and open to the public.
Housing Authority to host homeowner summit
ST. PETERSBURG — The St. Petersburg Housing Authority will host a homeownership summit on Thursday, July 23, designed to help residents better understand the homebuying process and connect with local professionals who can guide them on the path to homeownership.
The summit will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Legacy at Jordan Park, 2350 Ninth Ave. S.
It will feature presentations from professionals representing housing development, mortgage lending, home inspections, real estate, insurance, and property appraisal, giving participants a comprehensive overview of the homebuying process.
SPHA residents interested in attending should RSVP by contacting Jacki Gibson, SPHA Homeownership Program Coordinator, at: jgibson@stpeteha.org.
For more information about the event, contact: socialservices@stpeteha.org.