PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – Governor Ron DeSantis announced $2.1 million for military-supporting infrastructure for Florida’s military communities, with $433,030 going to the local community.
The funding comes by way of the Defense Reinvestment Grant Program. Awards through the Defense Reinvestment Grant Program in the local community include the Okaloosa Economic Development Council, Bay Defense Alliance, and Bay County.
“Florida is committed to investing in our military’s capacity and in military communities,” said Governor Ron DeSantis, according to the press release. “These funds continue my mission of making Florida the most military-friendly and veteran-friendly state in the nation.”
The grant program awarded $122,500 to the Okaloosa Economic Development Council to implement strategies that support and protect local military installations, missions, and ranges and assist in diversifying the military-dependent economy with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)- based industries and job growth.
As well as $90,530 to Bay Defense Alliance to leverage the volunteer talent of Bay Defense Alliance and its community partners to continue developing existing missions and pursuing new, next-generation defense missions.
Bay County was awarded $220,000 to create an Area Development Plan for the Barefoot Palms property adjacent to Naval Support Activity Panama City.
According to the press release, the governor has awarded nearly $6.3 million to Florida’s military communities through this program since 2019.
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