Governor DeSantis Awards $9 Million for Infrastructure Improvements in Pensacola
PENSACOLA, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced a $9 million award from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to the City of Pensacola. The funding will be used for infrastructure improvements at the Port of Pensacola, aimed at enhancing Florida’s shipbuilding capacity.
These improvements will facilitate the construction of two boatbuilding facilities capable of producing complex Navy ship modules for submarines and warships measuring up to 400 feet. This initiative is expected to create approximately 2,000 jobs in the region.
“We have a strong economy because we have our priorities straight,” said Governor DeSantis. “This $9 million investment will support the construction of facilities that are instrumental in meeting the growing demand for maritime manufacturing, creating high-skill jobs for Floridians.”
Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly emphasized the importance of these strategic investments: “Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida remains economically competitive, enhancing our maritime manufacturing capacity and strengthening our local economies while contributing to national security.”
Details of the Project:
- Total Award: $9,000,000
- Purpose: Infrastructure enhancements to support two shipbuilding facilities at the Port of Pensacola.
- Facilities Size: Approximately 400,000 square feet of manufacturing space.
- Job Creation: An estimated 2,000 manufacturing and related jobs.
Florida boasts a robust maritime infrastructure, with 21 major military installations and 16 deepwater seaports, contributing $19.5 billion to the state’s GDP and supporting 1.2 million jobs. The state leads nationally in workforce development, maritime jobs, and boat-building establishments.
Additionally, the City of Pensacola has secured a $76 million grant from Triumph Gulf Coast for this project. In 2023, an earlier grant of $3.9 million was awarded to improve infrastructure at the Port, establishing it as a High-Performance Maritime Center of Excellence.
Since its inception in 2019, the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund has distributed over $341 million, facilitating nearly 45,500 new jobs and more than 34,000 workforce education opportunities.
For further information about the Job Growth Grant Fund, visit here.
