Governor Ron DeSantis announced more than $13 million in funding through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund for infrastructure and workforce-related projects in Bay County and Gulf County.
The grants will support aviation, maritime, and housing development projects in the Panama City area and Port St. Joe. According to state officials, the projects are expected to create hundreds of jobs and support economic development in Florida’s Panhandle.
The Panama City – Bay County Airport and Industrial District will receive $5 million to construct an aircraft engine repair station and testing facility at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. The planned 160,000-square-foot facility will include approximately 120,000 square feet dedicated to engine repair operations, with the remaining space used for engine testing. State officials estimate the project could create up to 400 technician jobs in Bay County.
The City of Port St. Joe will receive $2,250,709 to support a two-phase road construction project designed to facilitate the development of 177 workforce homes. The project includes resurfacing an existing roadway, building a 1,380-foot connector road, and hardening underground utilities to better withstand hurricane conditions. The state estimates the project could generate approximately 190 jobs.
The Gulf County Board of County Commissioners will receive $6 million for maritime infrastructure improvements at a local shipyard. The funding will support the construction of a self-docking float dry dock using mooring dolphins. Officials say the project will help retain 125 existing jobs at Eastern Shipbuilding and could create an additional 337 jobs.
The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund is an economic development program that supports public infrastructure and workforce training initiatives throughout the state. Since 2019, the program has awarded more than $318 million to projects that state officials say have helped create over 42,000 jobs and provided 32,000 workforce education opportunities.
Project proposals are reviewed by FloridaCommerce and selected by the governor based on infrastructure and workforce needs identified by local communities.
