More than $1.8 million awarded to Florida military communities

FLORIDA — More than $1.8 million has been awarded to military communities in Florida through the state’s Defense Infrastructure Grant Program and the Defense Reinvestment Grant Program. Communities receiving grants include Jacksonville, Walton County, Bay County, Pensacola, Orlando, and Clay County.

The Defense Infrastructure Grant and Defense Reinvestment Grant programs provide grants to military communities to support infrastructure projects and economic growth to strengthen the resiliency of Florida’s military communities.

Awards through the Defense Infrastructure Grant Program include:

City of Jacksonville: $500,000
To acquire properties in the Military Influence Zone of Outlying Landing Field Whitehouse and provide matching readiness and environmental protection integration (REPI) funds for the next Naval Air Station Jacksonville encroachment protection acquisition.

Walton County Economic Development Alliance: $830,961
To improve the intersection at State Road 20 and County Road 83A West, which will vastly improve the safety, access, and operational efficiency of employee access to Eglin Air Force Base.

Bay County Board of County Commissioners: $371,350
To begin construction on Phase II for a multi-use path on Magnolia Beach Road to allow for safer access between the new VA clinic, Naval Support Activity (NSA) Panama City, NSA Panama City RV Park, and Naval Branch Health Clinic Panama City.

The Defense Reinvestment Grant Program supports community-based activities that protect existing military installations. These grants are awarded to economic development organizations that represent a local government with a military installation that could be adversely affected by federal actions.

Awards through the Defense Reinvestment Grant Program include:

Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce: $65,200
To create a five-year strategic plan for the City of Pensacola.

Orlando Economic Partnership: $50,000
Hire a consulting firm to conduct a planning study to recommend a course of action for constructing a sensitive consolidated information facility in the Central Florida Research Park.

Clay County Economic Development Corporation: $20,000
To further the environmental site analysis and due diligence at the Keystone Heights Airport project awarded earlier this year.

“As the most military and veteran-friendly state in the nation, we are committed to strengthening our military communities and providing opportunities for our military families,” said Governor Ron DeSantis.

This round of funding is in addition to $6.1 million in Defense Infrastructure and Defense Reinvestment grants announced in 2023. Since 2019, Florida has awarded nearly $13.6 million in grants to military communities through these programs.

For more information on military community programs, visit the Office of Military and Defense webpage here.