March 16, 2021
EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Alachua County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) is now taking applications.

ERAP is a Federal Grant intended to assist households who cannot pay or are having difficulty paying rent and/or utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It can assist eligible households with the payment of late rent and/or utilities and may also assist with rent payment in advance. Payments will generally be made only to landlords/property managers and/or utility companies, not the households themselves. Alachua County is distributing over $8 million in ERAP funds. Each household is limited to a maximum of $15,000 in assistance.


If you have questions regarding this application or need assistance, please call the Alachua County ERAP Helpline at 352-704-0301.​
Vaccine Survey
In partnership with the WellFlorida Council (the local health planning council), the County Commission invites you to answer this COVID-19 Vaccine Survey. We are seeking 10,000 participants. This survey has approximately 30 questions and should take about 10-15 minutes to finish. Your answers will not be used to identify you. Community leaders will use your input to help guide decisions about COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Alachua County.
Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center Ribbon Cutting Video
Alachua County and the City of Newberry hosted a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate the renovations of the Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center on Saturday, March 6.

“The Commission is very excited at how so many related projects are falling into place,” said Commission Chair Ken Cornell. “The Agriculture and Equestrian Center, the new Army Equipment Concentration Site at the old fairgrounds, and the regional Sports Center at Celebration Pointe are all transformational projects that will bring jobs and economic benefits to our community.” 
Soil Collection Ceremony video
Between 1867 and 1950, nearly 4 dozen African Americans were lynched in Alachua County. To memorialize victims, Soil Collection Ceremonies were held in Gainesville at the Alachua County Administration Building and in Newberry in February.
Turkey Creek Preserve Ribbon Cutting video
Alachua County celebrated the opening of Turkey Creek Preserve with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Monday, March 1.

“Turkey Creek Preserve is a wonderful addition to our conservation lands inventory,” said County Commission Chair Ken Cornell. “I am so grateful that the voters in Alachua County approved the Wild Spaces Public Places ½ cent surtax that made this purchase possible.” 
County Road 219A Improvement Project
County Road 219A is getting a major upgrade. Nearly 6.5 miles of this major collector road is being resurfaced and turnouts are being improved to help the flow of traffic.
New Building and Permitting Pre-Application Screening Process
The Alachua County Building and Permitting Division is moving the Building and Permitting Pre-Application Screening Process system to Citizenserve. This allows for easier communication between applicants and staff, better coordination with the building permit process, and the addition of online payments. To facilitate this move, they will cease taking new PAS requests at noon on Friday, March 19, 2021, and no further results will be available until March 22.  
NW 94th Avenue Road Closure
Beginning Friday, March 19, 2021, a section of NW 94th Avenue, east of NW 153rd Terrace, will be closed to all thru traffic as County crews complete road repairs. The section is scheduled to be opened on April 3, 2021.

Please use NW 78th Avenue as a detour route during this time.
Alachua County Receives Call2Recycle’s 2020 Top 100 Leader in Sustainability Award
Call2Recycle recognized Alachua County as a 2020 Top 100 Leader in Sustainability. The Leader in Sustainability Award is given annually to top-performing Call2Recycle program participants who excel with their battery recycling efforts. As a 2020 award recipient, Call2Recycle is recognizing the County through a tree donation to the National Forest Foundation’s ‘50 Million for Our Forests’ campaign.