Division of Housing and Community Development
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Florida Communities Trust - About
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The preservation of green space, including parks, open space, beaches and natural areas, is an important factor in creating livable communities. In 1989, the Florida Communities Trust (F.C.T.) was created to help local governments meet this need. For the first ten years, the Trust was funded primarily through the Preservation 2000 bond program, which was dedicated to the purchase of sensitive lands throughout the state. In 1999, the Florida Legislature approved Florida Forever as the successor program to Preservation 2000 and the Trust continues to assist communities as well as non-profit environmental organizations acquire land for conservation and recreation. Matching and full grants for land acquisition projects are provided to communities through an annual competitive application cycle. Approximately $66 million is available to eligible applicants each year.
The Trust annually receives 22 percent of the $300 million Florida Forever fund. As of June 30, 2008, more than 80,000 acres have been preserved. The Trust has provided more than $703 million of the total $1.2 billion used to acquire these lands and local government partners have provided a match of more than $583 million. In conjunction with the other state agencies that receive funding through the land preservation bond program, more than one million acres have been acquired for public use and enjoyment.
What Has Been the Impact of F.C.T.?
As of June 30, 2008, F.C.T. has provided more than $703 million to local communities to preserve parks and open space. F.C.T. has provided local governments the opportunity to leverage local dollars with state dollars, optimizing conservation benefits. F.C.T. projects have the additional benefit of furthering local government comprehensive plans. F.C.T. has encouraged and fostered both public and public-private partnerships in land acquisition initiatives.
Florida Communities Trust projects play a significant role in improving the quality of life of Florida's residents. The local and regional parks funded by the Trust also help to promote economic growth and revitalization in local communities through nature-based tourism. To learn more about Florida's industries and how F.C.T. fits into the state's economic fabric, please visit the Enterprise Florida website.
What Does F.C.T. Do?
- Provides incentives for local governments to protect significant land
- Preserves natural resource lands
- Leverages state and local dollars
- Allows communities to identify locally important projects
- Furthers local comprehensive plan objectives
- Resolves land use conflicts
- Provides additional waterfront access
- Boosts downtown revitalization
- Encourages public / private partnerships
- Serves as a mitigation tool
Governing Board
The F.C.T. Governing Board is chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Community Affairs and includes the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and four public members appointed by the Governor.
Program Staff
Program staff are available to help with any questions you may have.