~ 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.
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