Governor Crist Awards 2010 Defense Grants: Florida’s military installations receive $5.85 million in critical development funds
Sep 24, 2010
The Office of Florida Governor Charlie Crist issued the following news release today, September 24, 2010:
Governor Crist Awards 2010 Defense Grants
~ Florida’s military installations receive $5.85 million in critical development funds ~
TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today awarded $5.85 million in defense grants for projects to improve Florida’s defense economy for military installations and activities.
“Defense grants are an important element of Florida’s longstanding support for our nation’s military bases, their unique missions, and their brave and selfless service members and support personnel,” said Governor Crist. “These grants allow local communities in Florida to support our men and women in uniform and strengthen Florida’s defense economy.”
The Florida Defense Reinvestment Grant Program and the Defense Infrastructure Grants are awarded annually on a priority project basis. Administered by the Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development in coordination with Enterprise Florida Inc., the 2010-11 Defense Reinvestment Grants are awarded to nine projects in support of military base retention and economic diversification for a total of $850,000. Fourteen projects will receive a total of $5 million in Defense Infrastructure Grants to support local infrastructure projects.
Defense Reinvestment Grants
The Defense Reinvestment Grant Program assists communities in developing economic diversification strategies and implementing base growth and reuse programs. This program encourages communities to analyze their economic reliance on defense expenditures and formulate specific plans to respond to the nation’s defense priorities.
The 2010-11 Defense Reinvestment Grants are awarded to Bay Defense Alliance, Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, Orange County R&D/National Center for Simulation, the City of Jacksonville, Clay County Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, Economic Development Council of Okaloosa County, The Beacon Council Inc., and TEAM Santa Rosa EDC.
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 2010-11 Defense Infrastructure Grants are awarded to the Clay County Development Authority, the City of Fort Walton, Escambia County, Highlands County, the City of Jacksonville, Okaloosa County, the Orange County Research and Development Authority, Pinellas County, Santa Rosa County, the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast and the City of Tampa.
About the Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development
The Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development (OTTED) formulates policies and strategies designed to promote economic growth and diversify the state’s economic base. OTTED provides executive direction, develops policies and advocates for economic diversification and improvements in Florida’s business climate and infrastructure by focusing on six economic drivers to unify state-wide economic development planning and action: 1) Sustainable growth, 2) Competitive business climate, 3) Multi-model infrastructure, 4) Research & development, 5) Entrepreneurial systems, and 6) World-class talent. For more information, visit www.flgov.com/otted_home.