On the Nov. 3 General Election ballot is a question about renewing the county’s Volusia ECHO program. For the past 20 years, the Volusia ECHO grant funding program has provided more than $95 million to improve the quality of life for residents by supporting the acquisition, restoration, construction or improvement of environmental, cultural, historical and outdoor recreational facilities.
The City of Daytona Beach has received $5.5 million from Volusia ECHO, the highest amount out of all the cities in the county.
Last month Daytona Beach’s City Commission unanimously supported placing two referenda on the General Election ballot that would extend the Volusia ECHO and Volusia Forever programs for another 20 years.
City projects made possible by Volusia ECHO funding:
- Stabilization of the historic Bandshell
- Bethune Point Park Skateboard Park
- Breakers Oceanfront Park
- Cypress Aquatic Center
- Renovation of Daytona Beach Clocktower
- Jackie Robinson Ballpark & Museum upgrades
- Midtown Cultural & Educational Center
- Municipal Stadium turf project
- Peabody Auditorium renovations
- Yvonne Scarlett-Golden Cultural & Educational Center
In addition, Daytona Beach-based organizations have also benefitted by receiving Volusia ECHO funds:
- Art League of Daytona Beach
- Bethune-Cookman University’s Performing Arts Center and Visual Art Gallery
- Bethune-Cookman University’s Foundation restoration
- Daytona Playhouse
- Daytona State College’s News Journal Center
- Daytona State College’s Echo Plaza
- Halifax Humane Society’s public dog park
- Museum of Arts and Sciences
- Southeast Museum of Photography