Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced $3.4 million in grants to installations and defense communities, WFLA-TV reported.
The state announced defense infrastructure grants for:
- Bay County for Hurricane Michael-related repairs at Tyndall Air Force Base
- City of Jacksonville to acquire easements along with Naval Air Station Jacksonville
- Clay County for facilities maintenance at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center
- Escambia County for easement purchases around Naval Air Station Pensacola
- Santa Rosa County for easements around Naval Air Station Whiting Field
Defense reinvestment grants were awarded to:
- Bay Defense Alliance for storm damage repairs at Tyndall Air Force Base
- City of Jacksonville for Naval Station Mayport
- Clay County Economic Development Corporation for a strategic sites inventory program
- Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast to enhance community relationships and partnerships with the Space Force
- Economic Development Council of Okaloosa County for STEM cluster development
- Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce to create higher skilled jobs for service members transitioning out of the military
- Miami Dade Beacon Council to grow the defense industry in Miami-Dade County
- Orlando Economic Partnership to support Naval Support Activity Orlando
- Santa Rosa County to further develop Whiting Aviation Park adjacent to Naval Air Station Whiting Field
- Tampa Bay Defense Alliance to grow the defense simulation industry
Florida Defense Support Task Force Grant Program funding was awarded to:
- City of Jacksonville to support the ongoing effort to protect local bases and airfields from incompatible land use
- Clay County to buffer Camp Blanding from incompatible land development
“Strong bases have a positive impact in their surrounding areas, so in Florida, we work in concert with the military to make sure we have the appropriate infrastructure in place to capitalize on their footprint for the benefit of our communities,” DeSantis said.
Coast Guard photo from Naval Station Mayport by PA1 Donnie Brzuska
