TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced four awards for more than $29 million in funding from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, established by Governor Scott and the Florida Legislature in 2017, 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 $610 million in funding. Today’s announcement reflects a total of more than $143 million in funding awarded to 45 communities across the state, including more than $42 million to 16 rural communities since the fund was established in 2017. Additional announcements on grant awards are forthcoming.

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 more than 1.67 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:

Jerry Demings, Mayor of Orange County Government said, “We are excited about the infrastructure improvements we will make to Kirkman Road with this funding from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. By relieving congestion, we will promote business expansion for our local community and support the economic growth of our various industries here in Orange County, including aerospace, defense and tourism.”

Ashton Hayward, Fmr. Mayor of City of Pensacola said, “This is a big win for Pensacola and the great state of Florida. Governor Scott has been a tremendous leader, creating the right environment to bring skilled jobs to Florida. This award will allow us to attract aviation and aerospace companies to the City of Pensacola, continuing our efforts of enhancing a global presence along the I-10 Aerospace Corridor.”

Grover Robinson, Mayor of City of Pensacola said, "We are very excited about the award from Governor Scott’s Job Growth Fund. This is a great example of local, state, and federal entities coming together to create good paying jobs that will have a transformational impact on our region."

Ron Oakley, Pasco County Commission Board Chairman said, “On behalf of the Pasco Board of County Commissioners and the citizens we serve, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to Governor Rick Scott for recognizing the importance of Overpass Business Park as a priority for the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. Once completed, the Overpass Business Park project will support four to five thousand high-paying jobs and be home to 2.2 million square feet of industrial and office development. The project is a critical initiative for pursuing the type of strategic, innovative, long-term economic growth and opportunity Pasco County is committed to, and the state’s generous partnership makes this possible.”

Sylvia Jackson, Executive Director of Gadsden Technical Institute said, “Gadsden Technical Institute is honored to be one of the recipients of the Florida Job Growth Grant. The application of grant funds to develop a Diesel Engine Repair Program represents a partnership between the Department of Economic Opportunity, the Gadsden County School Board, the Gadsden County Development Council, Gadsden Technical Institute, Four Star Freightliner, and Career Source Capital Region to provide much needed training to match Gadsden County community members with career opportunities.”

About DEO

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

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced four awards for more than $29 million in funding from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, established by Governor Scott and the Florida Legislature in 2017, 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 $610 million in funding. Today’s announcement reflects a total of more than $143 million in funding awarded to 45 communities across the state, including more than $42 million to 16 rural communities since the fund was established in 2017. Additional announcements on grant awards are forthcoming.

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 more than 1.67 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:

Jerry Demings, Mayor of Orange County Government said, “We are excited about the infrastructure improvements we will make to Kirkman Road with this funding from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. By relieving congestion, we will promote business expansion for our local community and support the economic growth of our various industries here in Orange County, including aerospace, defense and tourism.”

Ashton Hayward, Fmr. Mayor of City of Pensacola said, “This is a big win for Pensacola and the great state of Florida. Governor Scott has been a tremendous leader, creating the right environment to bring skilled jobs to Florida. This award will allow us to attract aviation and aerospace companies to the City of Pensacola, continuing our efforts of enhancing a global presence along the I-10 Aerospace Corridor.”

Grover Robinson, Mayor of City of Pensacola said, "We are very excited about the award from Governor Scott’s Job Growth Fund. This is a great example of local, state, and federal entities coming together to create good paying jobs that will have a transformational impact on our region."

Ron Oakley, Pasco County Commission Board Chairman said, “On behalf of the Pasco Board of County Commissioners and the citizens we serve, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to Governor Rick Scott for recognizing the importance of Overpass Business Park as a priority for the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. Once completed, the Overpass Business Park project will support four to five thousand high-paying jobs and be home to 2.2 million square feet of industrial and office development. The project is a critical initiative for pursuing the type of strategic, innovative, long-term economic growth and opportunity Pasco County is committed to, and the state’s generous partnership makes this possible.”

Sylvia Jackson, Executive Director of Gadsden Technical Institute said, “Gadsden Technical Institute is honored to be one of the recipients of the Florida Job Growth Grant. The application of grant funds to develop a Diesel Engine Repair Program represents a partnership between the Department of Economic Opportunity, the Gadsden County School Board, the Gadsden County Development Council, Gadsden Technical Institute, Four Star Freightliner, and Career Source Capital Region to provide much needed training to match Gadsden County community members with career opportunities.”

About DEO

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

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