TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced five awards for nearly $9 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 $620 million in funding. Today’s announcement reflects a total of more than $151 million in funding awarded to 50 communities across the state, including more than $42 million to 16 rural communities.

Here’s what this round of grantees are saying:

Brandon Matulka, Executive Director of the Lake County Agency for Economic Prosperity said, “Lake County is excited for the opportunity that the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund award provides, as we continue our partnership with the City of Mount Dora to expand job growth and economic development in the Wolf Branch Innovation District. This long-term project is a collaborative partnership and we are proud to be recognized and chosen for this award by Governor Scott and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.”

Jeff Mazur, Executive Director of The LaunchCode Foundation said, “LaunchCode thanks Gov. Scott for investing through the Job Growth Grant Fund in innovative, accessible job training that will provide a pathway for dozens of Floridians to access high-wage, high-growth careers in software development. This award opens technology job opportunities to a new universe of job seekers and helps employers in the Tampa Bay region meet their large and growing tech talent needs. We applaud the governor’s willingness to advance bold new solutions for workforce and economic growth.”

Linda Hudson, Mayor of the City of Fort Pierce said, "I am very grateful to the Governor and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity for recognizing the environmental and economic value in helping to fund the extension of wastewater services in the DiGorgio Industrial Corridor in Fort Pierce. This grant will result in retaining existing jobs and attracting future companies to the Corridor. This project will eliminate aging septic systems, thereby protecting our waterways, notably the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon. The City of Fort Pierce and the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority share the important priority of protecting the environment while promoting economic growth. We thank the Governor for this excellent New Year’s news, and we appreciate the St. Lucie Economic Development Council for its support and assistance."

Ava Parker, President of Palm Beach State College said, “Palm Beach State College is honored and excited to be one of the 2018-2019 Florida Job Growth Grant recipients. The funding will allow us to realize our vision of working collaboratively with aviation/aerospace, clean tech, homeland/defense and manufacturing industry partners to build a Center for Excellence in Engineering Technology where students can earn College Credit Certificates and industry credentials to meet the growing need for trained, middle-skilled engineering talent in Palm Beach County. The Center will train more than 500 workers each year in Industrial Technician (Mechatronics), Lean Manufacturing and Automation College Credit Certificates that articulate to the Engineering Technology Associate in Science degree.”

Ken Doherty, chairman of the Charlotte County Board of Commissioners said, “The A&P Certification Course offered through Charlotte Technical College will qualify graduates to take written, oral and practical exams for an FAA mechanic license with airframe and powerplant ratings. Graduates of the program will drive high-paying, high-skilled jobs to the county, fueling economic growth and opportunities in skilled manufacturing and maintenance.”

Last week Governor Scott announced four awards for more than $29 million in funding from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. Here's what last week’s grant recipients 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, Former Mayor of the 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 the 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.”

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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