Governor Scott Announces More Than #3 Million for Florida Defense Communities

Press Release

Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that 13 counties were awarded $2,450,000 through Florida's Defense Infrastructure and Reinvestment Grant Programs. The funding will support community projects at 19 Florida military installations. Governor Scott also announced that defense partners in four counties were awarded more than $700,000 through the Florida Defense Support Task Force Grant Program. This funding will support four projects to strengthen Florida's bases ahead of any potential Department of Defense realignment or closure actions, thereby protecting more than $73.4 billion in economic impact, and more than 758,000 jobs that the defense industry supports in the state. These grants are administered by Enterprise Florida, Inc.

Governor Scott said, "As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day, we are proud to announce more support for Florida's military communities. Our thriving military installations and the economic investments they provide our local communities help make Florida the most military-friendly state in the nation. As a Navy veteran, I am proud to announce the combined funding from the Defense Infrastructure and Reinvestment Grant Programs, and the Defense Support Task Force Grant Program will provide more than $3 million of support for defense communities across the state. We are committed to continuing to make important investments to support the brave servicemen and women, veterans and military families who selflessly serve our country."

The 2015-16 Defense Grants were awarded to defense partners in the following counties: Polk, Brevard, Duval, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Clay, Pinellas, Escambia, Orange, Bay, Miami-Dade, Hillsborough and Walton. The grants are awarded annually through a competitive process to communities hosting military installations.

Florida Senate President Andy Gardiner said, "I want to congratulate the military assets across Florida for receiving these important grants. The Defense Reinvestment Grants demonstrate Governor Scott and the Legislature's continued commitment to Florida's active and retired military personnel, as well as the communities they protect."

Florida House Speaker Steve Crisafulli said, "I am grateful for the funding that has been awarded across Florida through the Defense Reinvestment Grant program. These grants provide critical support that allows these installations to continue their growth."

Representative Ritch Workman, Defense Support Task Force Chairman, said, "The Defense Support Task Force grants are vital as Florida continues pave the way as the most military friendly state in the nation. Service men and women work hard to protect our state and our investment in their communities is an important way to show our appreciation for their tireless work."

The 2015-16 Florida Defense Support Task Force Grants were awarded to defense partners in the following counties: Bay, Clay, Santa Rosa and Hillsborough (Tampa Bay Defense Alliance). Grants are awarded annually, on a project priority basis, to organizations and communities working to protect, preserve and enhance Florida's military installations and missions as well as improving the state's military-friendly environment for service members, families and veterans.

Bill Johnson, President & CEO of Enterprise Florida said, "These grants are vital for our military and defense industry, and strengthen Florida's workforce through the highly skilled former military personnel who enter the employment market each year. Florida's military and defense sector is one of the strongest in the country because of the these grants, and I am proud to play a part in supporting our military installations and communities, and appreciate what our service men and women do to protect our state."

Florida Defense Infrastructure and Reinvestment Grant Programs

A combined $2,450,000 was awarded to 13 communities in the state, helping to protect and improve 19 installations, and furthering Florida's reputation as the most military friendly state in the nation. For more than 15 years the defense grants have been successful tools in assisting local defense partners in supporting the State's military installations. Florida's military and defense sector is responsible for 9.4 percent -- or $73.4 billion -- of the Sunshine State's economy. This translates to more than 758,000 statewide direct and indirect jobs.

Eleven counties received a Defense Reinvestment Grant, which is designed to support relationships between military installations and their community. The total grant award amount of $850,000 will help to protect Florida's military installations, as well as promote economic diversification strategies in defense dependent communities. The Defense Infrastructure Grant is awarded to local projects deemed to have a positive impact on the military value of the installation in addition to benefitting the community. Nine counties were awarded $1,600,000 for encroachment, transportation and access, utilities, communications, environment, or security projects.

Florida Defense Support Task Force Grant Program

The Florida Defense Support Task Force was created in 2011 with the mission to make recommendations to preserve and protect military installations, support the state's position in research and development related to military missions and contracting, and improve the state's military-friendly environment for service members, military families, military retirees and businesses that bring military and base-related jobs to the state.

A combined $736,310 was awarded to four worthy projects in the state, helping to protect and improve Florida military installations, and furthering Florida's reputation as the most military friendly state in the nation. Four counties received a Florida Defense Support Task Force Grant, which will be utilized to protect, preserve and enhance Florida's military missions and installations while maintaining Florida's reputation as the most military friendly state in the nation.

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