African American issues dominate Darryl Rouson funding requests

Sen. Darryl Rouson is asking for nearly $78 million in funding for local projects, with the biggest asks for those who would benefit a large chunk of his constituents — those in the African American community.  Of the $77.9 million, spanning 58 requests, the largest ask is for the Hillsborough County African American Arts and Cultural Center, for which Rouson is requesting $10 million.  The next largest request is for a sickle cell workforce education and training program, clocking in at $4.5 million.  The cultural center funding would pay for construction on the 50,000 square-foot facility. Once completed, the center would include “a range of public experience spaces, meeting spaces, galleries, labs, studios, educational classrooms, a cafe, administrative support offices, interior and exterior special event spaces, and parking.” Rouson’s request notes that the total project cost for the next fiscal year will be $22.5 million, with $1 million in federal matching grants, along with $6.5 million from the state, $4.75 million from local entities and another $250,000 from miscelaneous sources.  The request for sickle cell training would provide $3.5 million for a Clinical Outcomes study evaluating how clinicians can improve and stakeholder engagement; $725,000 for clinical staff to create educational...