Governor Ron DeSantis announced more than $13 million in funding for infrastructure and workforce-related projects in Bay and Gulf Counties through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund.
This grant will support aviation, maritime and housing development projects in the Panama City area and Port St. Joe. The projects are expected to create hundreds of jobs and support economic development in the Florida Panhandle, state officials said.
The Panama City Bay County Airport and Industrial District will receive $5 million to build an aircraft engine repair station and testing facility at Northwest Florida Beach International Airport. The planned 160,000 square foot facility will include approximately 120,000 square feet dedicated to engine repair work, with the remaining space used for engine testing. State officials estimate the project could create up to 400 engineering jobs in Bay County.
The City of Port St. Joe will receive $2,250,709 to support a two-phase road construction project designed to facilitate the development of 177 units of workforce housing. The project includes resurfacing existing roads, constructing 4,380 feet of connecting roads, and strengthening underground facilities to better withstand hurricane conditions. The state estimates the project could create about 190 jobs.
The Gulf County Board of County Commissioners will receive $6 million for maritime infrastructure improvements at local shipyards. The funding will support the construction of a self-docking float dry dock using tethered dolphins. Officials say the project will help maintain 125 existing jobs at Eastern Shipyards and could create 337 additional jobs.
The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund is an economic development program that supports public infrastructure and workforce training initiatives across the state. Since 2019, the program has awarded more than $318 million to projects, which state officials say has helped create more than 42,000 jobs and provided educational opportunities for 32,000 workers.
Project proposals are reviewed by Florida Commerce and selected by the Governor based on infrastructure and workforce needs identified by local communities.
