Sarasota city leaders celebrated a state grant this week that will ensure sewer systems stay operational in the event of a storm.

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity provided $250,000 to the city to improve critical emergency power sources to lift stations. It was part of some $84 million announced by Gov. Ron DeSantis to improve areas struck in 2017 by Hurricane Irma.

“The recovery of Florida communities remains a high priority for my administration, especially in the Florida Keys, which are still recovering from Hurricane Irma.” DeSantis said. “We have worked tirelessly to get recovery dollars to all areas impacted by Hurricane Irma and will continue to do so as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

For Sarasota, Irma created power problems that last in some cases for weeks. The funding was announced last week and city officials on Wednesday confirmed the revenue. It will be used for generators to keep the utilities powered.

“A quarter-of-a-million-dollar grant is significant, and these funds will help ensure the health and safety of the Sarasota community through the continuation of critical operations at lift stations during an emergency, power outage situation,” said city spokeswoman Jan Thornburg.

The funding comes from federal Community Development Block Grant funding designated for Disaster Recovery, which is being dispersed through the Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program launched in July last year.

Ken Lawson, DEO executive director, said the program was key in fast-tracking funding to communities that have needed the dollars now for years.

"Under Gov.DeSantis' leadership, we remain focused on ensuring that Florida communities have the long-term disaster recovery funding and resources they need to fully recover from Hurricane Irma," Lawson said.