Florida Governor Crist Awards 2009 Defense Grants

September 14, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today awarded $1.35 million in defense grants for projects to improve Florida’s position as a host state for military installations and activities.
“Defense grants make important contributions to the overall mission of our nation’s armed forces,” said Governor Charlie Crist. “While the grants protect the values of the military bases they also enable neighboring communities to better support the men and women who serve in our military.”

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The Florida Defense Reinvestment Grant Program and the Defense Infrastructure Grants are administered by the Governor’s Office of Tourism of Trade and Economic Development in coordination with Enterprise Florida Inc. The grants are awarded annually on a priority project basis. The 2009-10 Defense Reinvestment Grants, totaling $850,000, are awarded to nine projects in support of military base retention and economic diversification. Three projects will receive a total of $500,000 in Defense Infrastructure Grants to support local infrastructure projects.

Defense Reinvestment Grants

The Defense Reinvestment Grant Program helps communities develop economic diversification strategies and implement base growth and reuse programs. The program encourages communities to analyze their economic reliance on defense expenditures and formulate specific plans to respond to the nation’s defense priorities.

The 2009-10 Defense Reinvestment Grants are awarded to the Bay Defense Alliance, City of Jacksonville, Economic Development Council of Okaloosa County, Economic Development Council of Florida’s Space Coast, Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, The Beacon Council, Orange County Research and Development Authority/National Center for Simulation, Clay County Chamber of Commerce and Team Santa Rosa Economic Development Council.

Defense Infrastructure Grants

The Defense Infrastructure Program addresses the infrastructure needs of Florida’s military installations. Grants are provided to economic development organizations for projects associated with encroachment, transportation and access, utilities, communications, housing, environment and security. The 2009-2010 Defense Infrastructure Grants are awarded to the Clay County Development Authority, City of Tampa and Santa Rosa County.

Source: Florida Governor