Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, during Clay County Day at the Florida State Capitol, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that he is awarding $250,000 to the city of Green Cove Springs for electrical line infrastructure upgrades through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. The City of Green Cove Springs will also match the grant with $50,000 and is prepared to immediately begin work on what is projected to be a 6-month project.

The Governor was joined by Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Rob Bradley, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Travis Cummings, Representative Bobby Payne, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) Executive Director Ken Lawson, Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) President and CEO Jamal Sowell, Clay County Chairman Gayward Hendry and City of Green Cove Springs Mayor Steven Kelley.

“Clay County is home to several companies in the manufacturing, aerospace and defense sectors, with plenty of room to grow.” said Governor DeSantis. “This strategic investment in public infrastructure, will help support and attract additional investment and growth for current and future businesses that call Green Cove Springs home. Clay County’s future is bright, and we look forward to their continued growth and success.”

The funding will also assist Green Cove Springs Utility Department with upgrading the powerlines and transformers to support existing and future manufacturing facilities in the industrial park on County Road 315.

“Providing opportunities for Florida communities to enhance infrastructure is an important element of the business-friendly environment Governor DeSantis is committed to in our great state,” said DEO Executive Director Ken Lawson. “We are proud to support Green Cove Springs in their efforts to diversify their economy through strategic investments and create jobs for their citizens.”

“Today’s award goes a long way toward bolstering a small town’s local infrastructure and diversifying northeast Florida’s economy,” said EFI President and CEO Jamal Sowell. “I cannot think of a better use of these funds for long-term growth.”

“Governor DeSantis has once again shown his dedication in helping provide growth and development in the Clay County region through this Job Growth Grand Fund award,” said Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Rob Bradley. “I know this funding will be a catalyst for businesses to begin to call this region their home. The best is yet to come for Clay County and the surrounding regions.”

“This award will provide much needed growth to the City of Green Cove Springs, and more specifically, the industrial park,” said House Appropriations Committee Chairman Travis Cummings. “I appreciate Governor DeSantis for his commitment to bringing businesses and growth to not only Clay County, but to the state of Florida.”

“Thanks to the Job Growth Grant Fund awarded to the City of Green Cove Springs, we are able to make some necessary upgrades to the electrical infrastructure and attract new and exciting growth to the area,” said Representative Bobby Payne. “On behalf of the people of Clay County and Green Cove Springs, we applaud the Governor and his commitment to provide help to our citizens and the regional economy.”

About the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund

The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund is an economic development program designed to promote public infrastructure and workforce training across the state. Proposals are reviewed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) and chosen by the Governor to help meet workforce or infrastructure needs in the community to which they are awarded.

Since July 2019, DEO and EFI have received 89 proposals requesting more than $286 million in funding. Today’s announcement reflects a total of nearly $186 million in funding awarded to 57 communities across the state since the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund was established.

In 2019-20, $40 million in awards are available for projects that focus on rapidly developing a highly-skilled workforce and on infrastructure initiatives that attract businesses, create jobs and promote economic growth. DEO and EFI are currently accepting proposals. For more information, visit 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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