Florida Awards Over $8M for Infrastructure and Workforce Training

FL Commerce News 2026

Published February 12th, 2026

Detected February 27th, 2026

Summary

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis awarded over $8 million through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to Palm Beach State College, Melbourne Orlando International Airport, and Broward College. These funds will support infrastructure investments and expand workforce training programs in high-demand industries across the state.

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What changed

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced awards totaling over $8 million from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. The funds are allocated to Palm Beach State College ($4.95 million) for quantum technology and cybersecurity training, Melbourne Orlando International Airport ($2.5 million) for apron expansion to support aerospace and aviation jobs, and Broward College ($908,000) to expand its aviation maintenance technician training program. These investments aim to bolster workforce readiness and critical infrastructure in key industries such as aerospace, aviation, military and defense, cybersecurity, and financial services.

While this announcement details grant awards and does not impose new regulatory obligations, it highlights the state's focus on strategic investments in workforce development and infrastructure. Regulated entities, particularly educational institutions and those in the targeted industries, may benefit from these initiatives through enhanced training opportunities and improved infrastructure. The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund is administered by FloridaCommerce, with proposals reviewed and selected by the Governor to address specific workforce training or infrastructure needs.

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FloridaCommerce Press 2026

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ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Awards More Than $8 Million Through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to Support Critical Infrastructure Investments and Expand Workforce Training

Feb 12, 2026 ~ Nearly $5 million was awarded to Palm Beach State College, $2.5 million awarded to Melbourne Orlando International Airport and more than $900,000 awarded to Broward College to support Florida’s aerospace and aviation, military and defense, cybersecurity financial services, and more ~

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. —Today, Governor Ron DeSantis awarded more than $8 million through the Job Growth Grant Fund with nearly $5 million awarded to Palm Beach State College, $2.5 million awarded to Melbourne Orlando International Airport and more than $900,000 awarded to Broward College. These awards support the workforce and infrastructure needs of Florida’s aerospace and aviation, military and defense, cybersecurity, financial services, and more industries.

“Today’s investments will support high demand regional and statewide needs, including talent development needs in communities that are supporting high impact industries that align with many of Florida’s greatest pillars of investment,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Communities such as Brevard and Palm Beach counties are critical for leading industry clusters in aerospace and aviation, military and defense, cybersecurity, financial services, and the investment in Broward College is focused on accelerated pathways to further support aviation workforce needs.”

“Today’s investments are further examples of Governor DeSantis’ focus on targeted, catalytic investments that matter, especially for our national security,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “These three investments support the foundations of workforce readiness for our aviators, cybersecurity, cryptography, secure communications and data.”

Palm Beach State College will receive:

$4,950,000 — to develop a new workforce program in computing and emerging quantum technologies—in support of critical national defense missions, cybersecurity, and financial services. Designed to provide rapid level modular training over 8-week terms, the program is set to enroll 970 students with 570 program completions over 10 years.

Melbourne Orlando International Airport will receive:

$2.5 million — to expand the current Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) apron. This critical infrastructure investment will support both commercial and military aerospace and aviation activities. Expanding this apron will create 500 new jobs with an average salary of $75,000 to $85,000 annually.

Broward College will receive:

$908,000 — to expand the Aviation and Maintenance Accelerated Express Program (AvMaX) to address the industry’s need for skilled aviation maintenance technicians. AvMaX is an intensive hands-on experience that prepares students for industry certification and rapid job placement in both commercial and military applications. Students earn three technical college credit certifications (60 credits), and the program provides a pathway to complete the remaining 23 credits needed for an Associate of Science degree. The program’s current cohort has achieved a 100% retention rate from fall to spring.

Since 2019, the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund has awarded more than $305 million and created more than 41,000 new jobs and more than 32,000 new workforce education opportunities. 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 Governor DeSantis to meet the demands for workforce training or infrastructure needs in Florida communities.

For more information on the Job Growth Grant Fund, click here.