Florida Construction News staff writer
Governor Ron DeSantis has awarded more than $13 million through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to support workforce and infrastructure projects in Bay and Gulf counties, including the City of Port St. Joe.
Funding is aimed at boosting aerospace, aviation and maritime industries while creating hundreds of jobs in the region.
“Today, I announced the latest round of Job Growth Grant Fund awards to support critical infrastructure and workforce housing in the Panhandle,” DeSantis said. “These projects will create hundreds of good jobs and attract investments to help Panama City, Port St. Joe and Gulf County prosper.”
Since 2019, DeSantis said, the grant fund has created more than 42,000 new jobs and 32,000 workforce education opportunities across Florida.
Latest awards:
- Panama City: Bay County Airport and Industrial District will receive $5 million to construct an aircraft engine repair station and engine testing facility at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport.
- City of Port St. Joe will receive $2.25 million for a two-phase road project supporting 177 workforce homes. The project includes resurfacing an existing road, building a 1,380-foot connector road and reinforcing underground utilities against hurricane winds. It is expected to create 190 construction jobs.
- Gulf County Board of County Commissioners will receive $6 million to construct a self-docking float dry dock at a shipyard using mooring dolphins.
