Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the distribution of over $13 million through Florida's Job Growth Grant Fund to several Panhandle communities for infrastructure improvements while speaking in Pensacola today.
The grants include $5 million for the Panama City-Bay County Airport and Industrial District for a new aircraft engine repair station and engine testing facility at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport.
"It's a really good airport, I really like it. I mean, there's a lot more routes going into that airport than there was however many years ago, and I think there's going to continue to be more, probably most of the major cities [in the] Midwest and the Northeast, you probably can get direct," DeSantis said.
Gov. DeSantis added that the facility at the airport will encompass 160,000 square feet, including 120,000 square feet for engine repairs, with the remaining space housing testing operations.
The facility is expected to bring 400 technician jobs to Bay County, the governor noted.
Furthermore, Gov. DeSantis awarded $6 million to the Gulf County Commission to support the construction of a self-docking, float dry dock at the county shipyard through a set of mooring dolphins.
The governor noted that 125 jobs will be retained as part of the project through Eastern Shipbuilding out of Panama City. The project is also expected to bring in 337 additional jobs.
In addition, the governor awarded $2 million to the City of Port St. Joe to fund a multi-tier construction project of 177 workforce homes. The project includes resurfacing and a new 1300-linear-foot connector road, and hardening of underground utilities from hurricane winds.
The project is expected to bring in 190 jobs to Port St. Joe.
"These investments are targeting key industries like aviation and aerospace, as well as maritime, and we're making sure that we're able to fund critical infrastructure expansion that's going to continue to not only support the economy, but also the workforce," DeSantis said.
Florida has awarded $318 million through the Job Growth Grant since 2019. The grants have also helped create 42,000 jobs and more than 32,000 new workforce education opportunities since the grants' establishment.
The governor awarded over $8 million through the Job Growth Grant last month.
