TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced six awards for more than $18 million in funding from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, established by Governor Scott and the Florida Legislature last year, provides $85 million for improving public infrastructure and enhancing workforce training in Florida. Since July, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has received more than 100 proposals requesting more than $620 million in funding. Today’s announcement reflects a total of $170 million in funding awarded to 56 communities across the state. In total, through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, nearly $56 million has been awarded to 22 rural communities.

Through Governor Scott’s focus on job creation and economic development programs like the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, since December 2010, every Florida county has experienced a decrease in unemployment. Under Governor Scott’s leadership, Florida businesses have created nearly 1.7 million private-sector jobs since December 2010 and Florida’s unemployment rate has fallen to just 3.3 percent, the lowest level in 12 years.

Here’s what this round of grantees are saying:

Dr. Carol F. Probstfeld, President of State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) said, “This initiative reflects a partnership between our institution, local employers, and the Bradenton and Sarasota Economic Development Corporations to meet the changing educational needs of our students and the workforce development needs of employers. We are grateful to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and Governor Scott for their support and award of this grant through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund.”

Avon Park City Councilwoman Maria Sutherland said, “The City of Avon Park is honored to be named a recipient of the Governor’s Florida Job Growth Grant Fund for the extension of water and wastewater lines in the northern part of Avon Park and Highlands County. This grant is an incredibly important resource for Florida’s inland communities, and we look forward to the positive impact the infrastructure improvements will provide for existing businesses and for the attraction of new industry – both of which will ultimately result in job creation and further economic development opportunities. We are thankful for Governor Scott’s commitment to economic development through this fund, and for the support of our local, regional, and state partners: Highlands County Economic Development, the Central Florida Regional Planning Council, and the Department of Economic Opportunity throughout the grant process.”

Brad Carter, County Manager of Bradford County said, “On behalf of the Bradford Board of County Commissioners and the entire community we are incredibly grateful to receive this award. Governor Scott will not regret making this great investment in our community.”

Edward Walker Dean, Town Manager of the Town of Greenville said, “By awarding our town $1.7 million, he is helping to change the plight of this evolving community. This grant will allow us to bolster our infrastructure and create much needed jobs. We are grateful to Governor Scott for his compassionate support of our rural community.”

Marty Fontes, Mayor of the Town of Callahan said, “Governor Scott has worked diligently with, and has had faith in the Town of Callahan, to bring much needed jobs and growth to Western Nassau County. I cannot thank him and the entire DEO Team enough. The infrastructure improvements will open Crawford Diamond Industrial Park and the entire 4.5 miles of underdeveloped land the water and sewer lines will cross.”

Gene Conrad, Director of Lakeland Linder International Airport said, “We are grateful for Governor Scott’s confidence in the City of Lakeland and our airport to deliver a successful project with this grant award. We have worked diligently with our federal, state and county partners over the last decade to put the critical infrastructure and workforce pieces in place to support our intermodal development. At the end of the day, it is our mission to drive economic development for our region and the grant award by the Governor will help us do just that.”

For more information about the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, visit www.FloridaJobs.org/JobGrowth.

About DEO

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity combines the state’s economic, workforce and community development efforts, expediting economic development projects to fuel job creation in competitive communities and promote economic resiliency. For more information, including valuable resources for employers and job seekers, please visit www.floridajobs.org.

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