Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery Program
Information on Chipola College's federally funded CDBG-DR Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Match Subrecipient Agreement — Commerce Agreement No. M0160.
Chipola College has been awarded federal CDBG-DR funds to strengthen campus infrastructure and protect critical facilities in Marianna, Florida.
During the 2018 hurricane season, Jackson County was struck by Hurricane Michael — one of the most powerful storms in Florida's recorded history. The Category 5 hurricane made landfall on October 10, 2018, devastating communities throughout the Florida Panhandle with catastrophic winds exceeding 160 mph and widespread flooding. Chipola College, a key educational and public service institution in the region, sustained significant damage to campus facilities and infrastructure.
In response, Chipola College executed a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Agreement with the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), requiring a local cost-share or match in the amount of $978,974.25. Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds are being used to fulfill this cost-share obligation, enabling the College to complete critical hazard mitigation improvements at its Marianna campus.
The Subrecipient Agreement (Commerce Agreement No. M0160) was executed on February 6, 2023, between the State of Florida Department of Commerce (formerly the Department of Economic Opportunity) and Chipola College. The agreement is authorized under the Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2018 (P.L. 115-254) and the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2019 (P.L. 116-20), implementing regulations at 24 CFR Part 570, and Federal Register Guidance 85 FR 4681 (January 27, 2020). At least 70% of the CDBG-DR funds expended under this Agreement must benefit low- and moderate-income persons.
The HMGP project provides wind protection and emergency backup power to critical Chipola College campus buildings in Marianna, Florida. CDBG-DR funds serve as the required non-federal match. FEMA awarded this project on February 17, 2022, with a Pre-Award date of October 12, 2018.
CDBG-DR is HUD funding provided as a special Congressional appropriation to assist communities with long-term recovery following a Presidentially declared disaster. It is a flexible set of funds that can be used for a wide range of disaster relief, long-term recovery, restoration of infrastructure and housing, economic revitalization, and mitigation activities.
The purpose of this project is to provide wind protection to three (3) buildings and emergency backup power to four (4) buildings considered critical facilities at the Chipola College campus, located at 3094 Indian Circle, Marianna, Florida 32446. The project is funded through HMGP DR-4399-144-R, as approved by the Florida Division of Emergency Management and FEMA.
- Wind Protection - 3 Buildings
- Retrofitting existing roofs and replacing all building openings with hurricane impact-resistant products on Workforce Buildings M, N1, and N2. Wind protections shall be provided on all openings including vents, louvers, and exhaust fans. The project shall provide protection against 131 MPH winds per the Florida Building Code.
- Backup Power - 4 Buildings
- Purchase and installation of four (4) permanent generators (350kW–450kW) at the Administration Building A, Public Service Building Y, Cafeteria K, and Chiller Plant CP. Each installation includes a concrete pad and an automatic transfer switch (ATS). Generators shall be protected against 500-year flood events.
- Construction Requirements
- All installations shall comply with the Florida Building Code or Miami-Dade Specifications. All materials shall be certified to meet wind and impact standards. The local municipal or county building department shall inspect and certify installation to manufacturer specifications.
- Schedule of Work
- Total Period of Performance: 31 months. Phases include: State Contracting (2 mo.), Construction Plan/Technical Specs (6 mo.), Bidding/Local Procurement (5 mo.), Permitting (3 mo.), Construction/Installation (8 mo.), Inspections/Compliance (4 mo.), and Closeout (3 mo.).
Events related to the Chipola College CDBG-DR / HMGP Program will be placed here as they occur or are planned to occur.
- 10/10/2018 Hurricane Michael makes landfall as a Category 5 storm near Mexico Beach, FL. Jackson County and the Chipola College campus sustain major damage from catastrophic winds and flooding.
- 10/12/2018 FEMA SRMC Pre-Award approved in the amount of $13,250.00, establishing the Pre-Award date for FEMA Project DR-4399-144-R.
- 2/17/2022 FEMA awards HMGP Project 4399-144-R to Chipola College under HMGP-4399-DR-FL for wind protection and backup power improvements.
- 2/6/2023 Agreement M0160 executed. Original period of performance: through July 1, 2024.
- 7/1/2023 Florida Department of Economic Opportunity renamed to the Florida Department of Commerce. All agreement references updated per Amendment One.
- 4/22/2024 Amendment One executed. Period of performance extended to September 30, 2025.
- 5/12/2025 Amendment Two signed. Period of performance extended to September 30, 2026.
- 7/21/2026 Amendment Three fully executed. Period of performance extended to September 30, 2027.
- 9/30/2027 Period of Performance ends (per Amendment Three). All project activities, inspections, and closeout compliance must be completed and submitted 30 days prior to this date for FEMA review and closeout approval.
- Chipola College CDBG-DR HMGP Match — Policies & Procedures Manual
The Chipola College CDBG-DR HMGP Match Policies & Procedures Manual (Agreement M0160) is available to program staff and the general public in accordance with CDBG-DR transparency requirements. The manual covers procurement, contract administration, financial management, monitoring, recordkeeping, compliance, reporting, complaints and appeals, and fraud prevention. Revised: April 13, 2026.
Policies and Procedures Manual
- HUD Exchange — CDBG-DR Information
The HUD Exchange website contains comprehensive materials and guidance related to the administration of CDBG-DR funds awarded to communities recovering from Presidentially declared disasters.
- Florida Department of Commerce - CDBG-DR Program
The Florida Department of Commerce administers CDBG-DR funds on behalf of the State of Florida. Visit their website for program updates, Action Plans, and grantee resources.
Florida Dept. of Commerce CDBG-DR
- FEMA - Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
Learn more about the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which provides grants to states and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after a major disaster declaration.
Step 1 File with Chipola College:
Contact the Chipola College Grants Administration Office:
- Phone: (850) 718-2344.
- Email: sheltonb@chipola.edu
- Mail: Chipola College, 3094 Indian Circle, Marianna, FL 32446
Step 2 Escalate to Department of Commerce:
If not resolved by Chipola College, citizens may file a written complaint or appeal with the Office of Long-Term Resiliency:
- Email: CDBG-DR@Commerce.FL.gov
- Mail: Department of Commerce, Attention: Office of Long-Term Resiliency, 107 East Madison Street, The Caldwell Building, MSC 420, Tallahassee, Florida 32399
Step 3 Final Appeal - HUD Regional Office:
If the complainant has not been satisfied at the conclusion of the complaint or appeals process, a formal complaint may be addressed directly to the regional HUD office:
- Mail: Department of Housing & Urban Development Charles E. Bennett Federal Building 400 West Bay Street, Suite 1015 Jacksonville, FL 32202
- Fair Housing Hotline: 1-800-669-9777 (Toll Free) · 1-800-927-9275 (TTY)
- www.hud.gov/fairhousing
Chipola College is a federally recognized subrecipient of Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds administered by the Florida Department of Commerce under Commerce Agreement No. M0160. Funding provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Acts of 2018 and 2019.
To file HUD grievances and complaints, call 1-800-669-9777 (Toll Free), 1-800-927-9257 (TTY) or visit hud.gov/fairhousing.
For questions regarding this CDBG-DR program, please contact the Chipola College Grants Administration Office at (850) 718-2344 or sheltonb@chipola.edu.