Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced the state will invest close to $23 million in its defense workforce, military communities, and defense industrial base.
The investments will come through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund (nearly $15.3 million), the Florida Department of Transportation’s Spaceport Improvement Program in partnership with Space Florida (up to $5 million), and the state’s Defense Reinvestment Grant (DRG) Program and Florida Defense Support Commission Grant Program (more than $3.1 million).
The aim of the grants is to improve the state’s military communities, boost workforce opportunities, and advance projects within Florida’s shipbuilding, aerospace, and supply chain industries tied to national security.
“Nearly 900,000 Floridians work in defense and defense-related industries,” DeSantis said. “Our colleges and universities provide skilled talent for defense, aerospace, aviation, and maritime industries throughout the state. Today, I announced major investments to help ensure that Florida remains the national leader in these growing industries.
“By investing in critical infrastructure and workforce development, we’ve helped make Florida a magnet for defense, aerospace, and shipbuilding companies looking to start or expand their operations," he added.
Maritime-related projects
Included in the projects that will receive a portion of the $15.3 million slated for the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund is $3 million for Northwest Florida State College to build a 4,000-square-foot, two-bay facility that will be home to the school’s Maritime Fabrication Training Center at its Niceville campus. The facility will help provide specialized training in composite fabrication and industrial pipefitting to address the state’s maritime and shipbuilding industries.
"Northwest Florida has the opportunity to build and sustain the ships, aircraft, and advanced systems that carry American power, and our college’s responsibility is to make sure we have the skilled workforce ready to meet that demand," said Mel Ponder, president of Northwest Florida State College. "The Maritime Fabrication Training Center will give our students hands-on experience using the same processes and techniques they will encounter in industry, while earning credentials that employers recognize and value. Just as importantly, it will create a direct pathway into high-wage, high-skill careers that allow our students to build their futures right here in northwest Florida. This is exactly the kind of workforce education investment that strengthens our students, our employers, and our region at the same time."
Additionally, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance will receive $125,000 to support the Broward Maritime Defense Readiness and Diversification Initiative by modeling existing and potential maritime-industrial readiness, preparing vendors for defense production, and matching Florida capabilities to validated defense and dual-use needs.
“Under Gov. DeSantis’ leadership, Florida has strategically invested in defense and aerospace communities, along with the industry partners in those communities that create such incredible jobs, defend our nation, and advance our state’s innovation-driven economy,” Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly said. “Today’s awards elevate and leverage Florida’s 21 major military base communities, the nearly 900,000 Floridians who work in defense, and Florida’s spaceports to bolster our industrial base for those industries like defense, aerospace and aviation, and even maritime, that truly help accentuate many of Florida’s unique value-adds to our nation.”
