Last week, Gov. Ron DeSantis awarded more than $4 million to the city of Cape Coral through the Governor’s Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to construct a public right-of-way increasing access to Victory Park, a 140-acre master-planned development.
This project is expected to generate 1,100 new jobs, 42 percent of which are projected to have a median wage more than $80,000 — more than 50 percent greater than the average wage in Lee County.
“Following Hurricane Ian, I made a promise to stand with Southwest Florida every step of the way as it rebuilds,” said DeSantis. “Today, I’m happy to continue delivering on that promise. By strengthening infrastructure in the city of Cape Coral, we are creating jobs and bringing new opportunities that will continue to revitalize and strengthen communities in Southwest Florida.”
By increasing access to Victory Park’s healthcare and workforce services, this project will prepare the area for business development, support long-term job growth, and address the needs of the area’s growing veteran community. The project also proposes the development of a regional workforce training program dedicated to the area’s veteran-centric needs, which will support job growth in healthcare, cybersecurity, and local entrepreneurship sectors.
“Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ support, the city of Cape Coral will not only be able to provide new opportunities for hardworking Floridians, but also ensure that the local community has access to vital healthcare and education resources,” said Florida Commerce Sec. J. Alex Kelly. “As we approach one year since Hurricane Ian’s devastation, it is essential to continue investing in vital infrastructure while simultaneously recovering from the impacts to ensure a bright future for Southwest Florida families five and fifty years from now.”
This award builds on $25 million awarded through the Local Government Emergency Bridge Loan Program for local government support, $4.2 million awarded to Lee County Port Authority for increased access to commercial development sites, and $11.9 million DeSantis awarded to the town of Fort Myers Beach through the Local Government Emergency Bridge Loan Program.
Since 2019, $142 million has been awarded through the Job Growth Grant Fund, making strategic investments in programs that build stronger communities and support workforce training across the state. The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund is an economic development program designed to promote public infrastructure and workforce training across the state. Proposals are reviewed by FloridaCommerce and are chosen by DeSantis to meet the demands for workforce training or infrastructure needs in communities around the state.
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