TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that $1.8 million was awarded through the Florida Defense Support Task Force Grant Program to support seven defense projects across 13 counties. This funding will strengthen Florida’s military bases ahead of any potential Department of Defense realignment or closure actions, thereby protecting the more than 774,000 jobs and more than $79.8 billion in economic impact the defense industry supports in Florida.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to announce $1.8 million in Florida Defense Support Task Force Grants for Florida’s military installations and defense communities. Florida is home to more than 758,000 service men and women, and as we approach Independence Day, we are reminded of the importance of doing all we can to support and thank these brave heroes that put their lives at risk to defend our country. We will continue to work each day to make sure Florida is the most military friendly state in the nation.”
The Florida Defense Support Task Force was created in 2011 with the mission to make recommendations to preserve and protect military installations, support the state’s position in research and development related to military missions and contracting, and improve the state’s military-friendly environment for service members, military families, military retirees and businesses that bring military and base-related jobs to the state. This grant program is administered by Enterprise Florida, Inc. and are awarded annually, on a project priority basis, to organizations and communities working to protect, preserve and enhance Florida’s military installations and missions.
Bay County: $73,500 in Defense Grants
$73,500 was awarded to the National Math Science Initiative (NMSI) in Bay County through the Florida Defense Support Task Force Grant Program to help improve student performance for military children. This grant leverages over $10 million already provided for Florida’s military children across the state and works in conjunction with existing Department of Education programs to further support the children of our nation’s military members.
Clay County: $501,500 in Defense Grants
$501,500 was awarded to two projects in Clay County through the Florida Defense Support Task Force Grant Program: $400,000 was awarded to Clay County through the Florida Defense Support Task Force Grant Program to buffer Camp Blanding from incompatible land development and $101,500 to the National Math Science Initiative (NMSI) to help improve student performance for military children.
Camp Blanding trains over 350,000 Florida National Guard troops, active duty military members, and law enforcement units. The $400,000 grant will be used along with funding from the St. Johns River Water Management District. The $101,500 grant for NMSI leverages over $10 million already provided for Florida’s military children across the state and works in conjunction with existing Department of Education programs to further support the children of our nation’s military members.
Highlands County: $500,000 in Defense Grants
$500,000 was awarded to Highlands County through the Florida Defense Support Task Force Grant Program to acquire conservation easements and preserve military readiness by limiting incompatible development near the Avon Park Air Force Range. Avon Park Air Force Range, the largest Air Force operational training range on the East Coast, is used extensively by all military services and several federal agencies. This funding will also be used as matching funds for the 2017 federal Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (REPI) application.
Okaloosa County: $350,000 in Defense Grants
$350,000 was awarded to two projects in Okaloosa County through the Florida Defense Support Task Force Grant Program: $250,000 to the Economic Development Council of Okaloosa County to help expand non-hazardous military training near Eglin Air Force Base and $100,000 to the Doolittle Institute to establish a technology innovation center in support of Eglin Air Force Base.
The $250,000 project will allow Eglin to continue to collaborate with the Florida Forest Service (FFS) to schedule non-hazardous military missions in Blackwater River State Forest and Tate’s Hell State Forest, which will relieve air force congestion while ensuring no negative impact to forest resources. The $100,000 project will provide consulting support from experienced organizations to establish a technology accelerator (Innovation Center) at or near Eglin Air Force Base with the Doolittle Institute.
The City of Key West: $150,000 in Defense Grants
$150,000 was awarded to the City of Key West through the Florida Defense Support Task Force Grant Program to refurbish the Truman Annex seawall and support the Naval Air Station Key West (NASKW). The seawall serves as protection for a critical boat ramp facility utilized by the NASKW for mission-ready exercises and naval operations in the harbor.
Twelve Counties: $225,000 in Defense Grants (Military Child Education Coalition)
$225,000 was awarded to the Military Child Education Coalition to support to the school children of our military across twelve counties and improve student outcomes. The funding will help assist more than 322,400 military and veteran-connected students, parents, school personnel, community members, and military installation representatives. The project works in conjunction with existing Department of Education programs to further support the children of our nation’s military members.
Specifically, $225,000 in funding for the Military Child Education Coalition is directed to:
Escambia (Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Bay) — $88,253
Hillsborough (Pinellas)– $102,256
Duval (St. Johns, Clay) — $12,973
Statewide (Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward) — $21,518
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Florida Defense Support Task Force Grant Program
Senate President Andy Gardiner said, “The work of the Defense Support Task Force is critical to preserving and protecting Florida’s bases and missions. Their hard work and commitment to keeping Florida the most military-friendly state in our nation will produce lasting dividends for our military personnel, retirees and their families as well as Florida’s economy.”
House Speaker Steve Crisafulli said, “The Florida Defense Support Task Force Grant Program has been instrumental in supporting our local military installations and military families. These grants will make an immediate economic impact on our state’s economy and will bring security for thousands of hard working Floridians.”
Senate Pro Tempore and Chairman Garrett Richter said, “The Florida Defense Support Task Force has again been able to provide local defense communities around the state the resources to keep vital missions at Florida’s military installations. These grants will help protect, preserve and enhance Florida’s military installations that generate billions of dollars for our economy as well as stable, high-paying jobs for Floridians. I applaud my fellow veteran Governor Scott and the Florida Legislature for their support of the Task Force and their commitment to keeping Florida as the most military-friendly state in the nation.”
Todd Buchs, Vice President of Programs and Business Development, Military Child Education Coalition, said, “The Military Child Education Coalition is proud of this strategic partnership with the State of Florida, home to 1.5 million Veterans, 120,000 military children, and 27 military installations covering all branches of service. Florida’s outstanding reputation of being military friendly is backed by a history of deep support for Service Members, Veterans, and their families. Working in collaboration with education, community and installation partners, the Military Child Education Coalition will offer student and parent support services, professional development, and a Military Student Transition Consultant embedded at the school level to meet needs as they arise. We are deeply grateful to Florida for their broad and generous support of the children of those who serve us all.”
Lt. Col. Kevin R. Beeker, Commander, 598th Range Squadron, Avon Park Air Force Range said, “The importance of this grant and of partners like the Florida Defense Support Task Force and Enterprise Florida cannot be overstated. Without grant funding, without partnerships, we would not have been able to work with The Nature Conservancy and willing landowners to protect and buffer the world-class military training that occurs at Avon Park AFR.”
Clay County Development Authority Chair Chip Dodson said, “In accordance with our principal purpose of promoting sound economic development of Clay County, the Clay County Development Authority is pleased to receive this grant that will strengthen the strategic partnership with Camp Blanding Joint Training Center to improve the quality of life for our citizens by securing a buffer from future development and encroachment thus protecting the installation that comprises almost on fifth of the county and is tied to its economic viability.”
Nathan Sparks, Chairman, EDC of Okaloosa County, said, “The Economic Development Council of Okaloosa County is delighted to be a recipient of a 2016-2017 Florida Defense Support Task Force Grant Award. These resources will be utilized to ensure that the expansion of non-hazardous military training to pre-designated state lands will be done safely, securely and with no negative impact to the environment or adjacent land owners. In doing so, we are helping to sustain our region’s vital military missions and the significant economic impacts they generate. We’re grateful to the Florida Defense Support Task Force for the confidence it has placed in us, and we especially appreciate Task Force Member J.R. McDonald’s sponsorship of our application.”
Dr. Steve Butler, Executive Director, The Doolittle Institute, said, “The Technology Transfer Initiative is an important part of Doolittle Institute’s partnership intermediary agreement to support the Air Force Research Lab mission at Eglin Air Force Base to get solutions to the war fighter faster. The State’s funding for this grant will bolsters DI’s efforts, create economic development and demonstrate the State of Florida’s commitment to Air Force research and technology programs.”
Jim Scholl, City Manager, Key West, said, “Naval Air Station Key West, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the City of Key West have long been partners in the overall success of the City. The Truman Annex Seawall is an important asset within this relationship. Thanks to a grant from the Florida Defense Support Task Force for the refurbishment of the Truman Annex Seawall, the City will be able to further strengthen the relationship. Funding from this grant will be used to ensure that the seawall will continue to protect vital infrastructure utilized by both agencies. The City’s commitment of funding demonstrates the City’s desire to be an active partner in NASKW and NOAA’s successful delivery of their critical missions.”
Gregg Fleisher, President of the National Math and Science Initiative, said, “NMSI’s College Readiness Program for Military Families provides excellence and continuity for students whenever and wherever their families are transferred. With the support of the Florida Defense Support Task Force, NMSI will be able to expand this proven program to more military connected students across the state, and help ensure that they have the knowledge and skills they need to be successful no matter what college or career path they choose.”
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Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is a partnership between Florida’s businesses and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for the state of Florida. EFI facilitates job growth for Florida businesses through recruitment and retention, international trade and exporting, promotion of sporting events, and capital funding programs to assist small and minority businesses.
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