Three communities in rural North Florida received nearly $11 million in infrastructure grants on Monday.

"We've seen when we do certain things like provide some foundational infrastructure, a lot of times you're able to see opportunities develop,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said while announcing the grants during a news conference outside Grumpy's Diner on Main in Madison.

Through the Community Development Block Grant program, Suwannee County will receive $5 million for a new multi-use building.

Palatka, in Putnam County, will get $5 million to widen paths and sidewalks in the downtown commercial area.

From another program, the Rural Infrastructure Fund, Madison County received $300,000 to engineer and design water and sewer infrastructure in Greenville.

Palatka will also draw $340,000 to expand a lift station and extend services to a business park.

“The things that we're able to pay for with this type of money, we cannot afford in our rural counties without state help,” said Rep. Chuck Brannan, a Macclenny Republican whose district includes Columbia, Baker, Suwannee and Hamilton counties and part of Alachua County.