Governor Crist awards defense grants
Governor Crist awards defense grants
POSTED 10/01/2008 - Yesterday, Governor Charlie Crist awarded $2.25 million in defense grants for projects to improve Florida’s position as a host state for military installations and activities.
In northeast Florida, both the City of Jacksonville and the Clay County Development Authority
were awarded Defense Reinvestment Grants for infrastructure improvements.
"I am grateful to members of the Florida Legislature for their commitment to this program that recognizes the defense sector’s importance to Florida’s economy," said Governor Charlie Crist. "Defense grants enable communities near military installations to better support the men and women who serve in our military and their families."The 2008-2009 Defense Reinvestment Grants, totaling $750,000, are awarded to 10 projects in support of military base retention and economic diversification. Seven projects will receive $1.5 million in Defense Infrastructure Grants to support local infrastructure projects.
Defense Reinvestment Grants
The Florida Defense Reinvestment Grant Program is administered by the Governor’s Office of Tourism of Trade and Economic Development, in coordination with Enterprise Florida Inc. The grants are awarded annually, on a priority project basis, to communities hosting military installations.
The Defense Reinvestment Grant Program helps communities develop economic diversification strategies and implement base growth and reuse programs. The program encourages communities to analyze their economic reliance on defense expenditures and formulate specific plans to respond to the nation’s defense priorities.
Defense Reinvestment Grants are awarded to the City of Jacksonville, Economic Development Council of Okaloosa County, Economic Development Council of Florida’s Space Coast, Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, The Bay Defense Alliance, The Beacon Council, Orange County Research and Development Authority/National Center for Simulation, Clay County Chamber of Commerce, Team Santa Rosa Economic Development Council, Highlands County Industrial Development Authority/Economic Development Council.
Defense Infrastructure Grants
The Defense Infrastructure Program addresses the infrastructure needs of Florida’s military installations. Grants are provided to economic development organizations for projects associated with encroachment, transportation and access, utilities, communications, housing, environment and security.
"The defense infrastructure grant program allows us to support our defense-related assets and their host communities by investing in important infrastructure improvements in the community," said Governor Crist. "This program is one way our state contributes to the preparedness, efficiency and overall mission of our nation’s armed forces."
Defense Infrastructure Grants are awarded to the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, Clay County Development Authority, City of Tampa, Team Santa Rosa Economic Development Council, City of Jacksonville, Economic Development Council of Okaloosa County and Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce.
