Rick Scott Announces $2.45 Million in Defense Grants

On Friday, Gov. Rick Scott announced that 14 communities across the Sunshine State will recieve $2.45 million in defense grants

These investments are key to sustaining Floridas military installations and the more than 758,000 jobs the military and defense industry supports in our state, Scott said. I am grateful to Floridas servicemen and women, veterans and military families for their sacrifices and dedication to protecting families across Florida and the nation. I am proud to announce these $2.45 million of grants that are necessary to protect Floridas military sector and keep our state the most military-friendly state in the nation.

Governor Scott, Speaker Weatherford and I are committed to making Florida's communities the most military-friendly in America, said Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Destin. As the sponsor of the enabling legislation, I'm keenly aware that the work of the Defense Support Task Force is critical to preserving and protecting Florida's bases and missions and I am grateful to the task force for making another significant investment in Northwest Florida.

I am proud of the role Floridas military communities play in keeping our nation safe, said House Speaker Will Weatherord, R-Wesley Chapel. This funding supports jobs and provides stability in the communities supporting our military bases.

The monies will be going to communities in Bay, Brevard, Clay, Duval, Escambia, Highlands,Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Okaloosa, Orange, Pinellas,Polk, Santa Rosa and Walton counties.