For immediate release

Miami Lakes Celebrates International Grant Professionals Day

March 11, 2022

Miami Lakes, FL – On Friday, March 11th, 2022, the Town of Miami Lakes celebrates International Grant Professionals Day. Founded by the Grant Professionals Association, this day reminds us to celebrate the administrators, consultants, managers, grant-makers, and grant proposal developers for their beneficial contributions to people, government agencies and nonprofit organizations. This day is meant to raise awareness of the work grant professionals perform and honor them for it.

For the Town of Miami Lakes, that role is headed by our very own Renée Wilson, the Town’s Grants and Government Affairs Manager, in collaboration with the Departments and Project Managers. Because of that work, the Town has been awarded multiple grants from diverse funding sources and streams. For example, over $6 million in grant funding was secured by the South Florida Water Management District, Department of Environmental Protection, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for flood mitigation, drainage and roadway improvements, canal stabilization, and stormwater infrastructure improvements throughout the Town.

On top of that, more than $10 million in grant funding was secured from the Florida Department of Transportation, The Miami Foundation, and the Miami-Dade Transportation Planning Organization for transportation and mobility studies, underpass and trails beautification, safe routes to school infrastructure, complete streets plans and projects, Freebee public transit services, and the construction of new transportation facilities for the Town.

Furthermore, approximately $150,000 in grant funding was secured by the Miami-Dade County Neat Streets Miami program to purchase and install canopy trees in the West Lakes community. Moreover, over $206,000 was secured from the U.S. Department of Justice and Florida Department of Law Enforcement for the Miami Lakes Police Department programs, overtime, equipment, and measures used for the prevention of, preparation for, and response to the coronavirus. Notably, for Royal Oaks Park, $208,000 was secured from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for energy efficient sports field lighting and $525,000 was secured from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to install a new generator at the Roberto Alonso Community Center, thereby enhancing resiliency, sustainability, and energy efficiency to keep Miami Lakes growing beautifully.

Thank you to all of the grant professionals making change in your communities! #IGPD

For more information on the Town’s Grants and Governmental Affairs office, visit miamilakes-fl.gov/grants or contact:

Renée N. Wilson, MPA
Grants and Governmental Affairs Manager
(305) 364-6100 Ext. 1225
wilsonr@miamilakes-fl.gov