U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $15.7 Million to Boost Workforce Development and Make Infrastructure Improvements in Florida

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is investing $15.7 million in the state of Florida to boost workforce development efforts and make infrastructure improvements to bolster economic opportunity in the region.

The EDA investments announced today are:

• The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners in St. Augustine will receive a $9.5 million grant for construction of a solar energy and diesel automotive workforce training center in Hastings. This EDA investment will be matched with $1.8 million in local funds.

• The Kissimmee Utility Authority in Kissimmee will receive a $6.2 million grant for utilities infrastructure improvements to support the semiconductor manufacturing industry. This EDA investment will be matched with $7.5 million in local funds.

"The Biden-Harris Administration's Investing in America Agenda is ensuring that all communities have the resources and opportunities they need to compete and thrive in today's economy," said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. "These EDA investments underscore that commitment and will advance that work by providing new opportunities for workforce training and economic growth in Florida."

"The Economic Development Administration is proud to partner with local communities to support place-based economic growth," said Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Cristina Killingsworth. "These investments will support good jobs and economic resilience throughout the region."

"We're thrilled to see the Economic Development Administration invest $6.2 million in infrastructure for utilities here in Kissimmee, with an additional $7.5 million slated in local funds," said Representative Darren Soto (FL-9). "This investment is a game-changer for our community, as it supports the expansion of the semiconductor manufacturing industry. It strengthens our infrastructure and positions Kissimmee as a hub for innovation, job creation, and economic growth for the region."

These projects are funded under the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, which provided EDA with $483 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas that received a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Actas a result of Hurricanes Ian and Fiona, wildfires, flooding, and other natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2021 and 2022. Please visit EDA's Disaster Supplemental webpagefor more information.