Tallahassee, Fla. -- Today, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Ken Lawson issued the following statement in response to Governor Ron DeSantis’ signing of the 2019-2020 budget:

“Since taking office, Governor DeSantis has remained committed to providing smart, strategic investments for Florida.  The Bold Vision for a Brighter Future budget allows our team the opportunity to help strengthen Florida’s communities with increased funding for rural communities, authority for our agency to spend critical dollars for long-term disaster recovery efforts and offers continued opportunities to enhance infrastructure and workforce training programs through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund.  We look forward to working with Governor DeSantis and our sister agencies to continue focusing on making strong, smart and strategic investments in Florida’s infrastructure and workforce to achieve Governor DeSantis’ vision for a better and brighter future for all Floridians.”

The Bold Vision for a Brighter Future budget includes:

More than $7.7 Million for Rural Communities

• The Bold Vision for a Brighter Future budget provides increased funding for rural communities through the Rural Infrastructure Fund.   More than $7.7 million has been budgeted for the Rural Infrastructure Fund, allowing the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to award rural communities funding to facilitate the planning, preparing and financing of traditional economic development infrastructure projects that encourage job creation and capital investment.

$620 Million to Support Hurricane Preparedness and Recovery

• This budget provides the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity the authority to spend more than $620 million in federal disaster assistance to provide long-term disaster recovery resources to communities impacted by Hurricane Irma. Visit RebuildFlorida.org to learn more about the opportunities available for Floridians through these resources.

$40 Million for the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund

• 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 the Department of Economic Opportunity and Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) and chosen by the Governor to meet the demand for workforce or infrastructure needs in the community to which they are awarded. In 2019-20, the agency will be able to provide $40 million for projects that focus on rapidly developing a highly-skilled workforce and on initiatives that can improve water quality and support “green” infrastructure in Florida communities.

About DEO

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity combines the state’s economic, workforce and community development efforts to create strong and resilient communities. For more information, including valuable resources for employers and job seekers, please visit www.floridajobs.org.

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