Florida Awards $13M for Infrastructure Development

FL Commerce News 2026

Published March 3rd, 2026

Detected March 4th, 2026

Summary

Governor Ron DeSantis awarded over $13 million through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to support infrastructure development for the aerospace, aviation, and maritime industries in Panama City, Port St. Joe, and Gulf County. These funds are intended to create jobs and attract investment.

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What changed

Governor Ron DeSantis announced the award of over $13 million from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to three entities in the Panhandle region: the Panama City – Bay County Airport and Industrial District ($5 million), the City of Port St. Joe ($2,250,709), and the Gulf County Board of County Commissioners ($6 million). These grants are designated for infrastructure projects aimed at supporting the aerospace, aviation, and maritime industries, including an aircraft engine repair station, a road project for workforce housing, and a dry dock at a shipyard. The projects are projected to create hundreds of new jobs and retain existing ones.

This announcement highlights the state's ongoing commitment to economic development through strategic infrastructure investments. While this is a notice of awarded funds rather than a new regulation, businesses in the affected industries and regions should be aware of the potential for increased economic activity and job creation. The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund is an economic development program that reviews proposals for public infrastructure and workforce training needs, with awards selected by the Governor.

Source document (simplified)

FloridaCommerce Press 2026

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ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Awards More Than $13 Million for Infrastructure Development Through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund

Mar 03, 2026 ~ The funding will support infrastructure development that answers aerospace and aviation, and maritime industry needs while promoting workforce expansion ~

PANAMA CITY, Fla.— Today, Governor Ron DeSantis awarded more than $13 million to the Panama City – Bay County Airport and Industrial District, the City of Port St. Joe and the Gulf County Board of County Commissioners through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund—supporting workforce and infrastructure needs for aerospace and aviation, and maritime industries.

“Today, I announced the latest round of Job Growth Grant Fund awards to support critical infrastructure and workforce housing in the Panhandle. These projects will create hundreds of good jobs and attract investments to help Panama City, Port St. Joe, and Gulf County prosper,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Since 2019, the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund has facilitated the creation of more than 42,000 new jobs and 32,000 workforce education opportunities throughout our state. Thanks to strategic investments like these, Florida is now the number one state in the nation for workforce education–five years ahead of the goal we had set in 2019.”

“These investments are a direct reflection of Governor DeSantis’ commitment to strengthening Florida’s communities through critical infrastructure improvements that fuel economic opportunity,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “These investments will put Bay County, Gulf County and the City of Port St. Joe in a better position to attract new job creators to the area while also supporting job seekers in Florida’s great northwest.”

The Panama City – Bay County Airport and Industrial District will receive:

$5 million — to construct an aircraft engine repair station and an engine testing facility at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. The new 160,000 square foot facility will include a 120,000 square foot engine repair space and the remaining facility space will house the testing operations and is projected to create up to 400 new technician jobs in Bay County.
The City of Port St. Joe will receive:
$2,250,709 — to fund a two-phase road project that will allow the construction of 177 workforce homes. The project includes resurfacing an already existing road along with constructing a new 1,380 linear foot connector road and hardening the utilities underground to protect against potential hurricane winds. This project is projected to bring in 190 jobs to the community.
The Gulf County Board of County Commissioners will receive:
$6 million — to support the construction of a self-docking float dry dock at shipyard through a set of Mooring Dolphins. Currently, the shipyard has 125 jobs at Eastern Shipbuilding that will be retained and the project will create an additional 337 jobs.

Since 2019, the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund has awarded more than $318 million and created more than 42,000 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.