FloridaCommerce Announces Funding Available Through Military Defense Infrastructure and Defense Reinvestment Grant

Tallahassee, Fla. - Today, FloridaCommerce announced funding is available through the Florida Defense Infrastructure Grant and Florida Defense Reinvestment Grant programs to benefit military communities and military installations throughout the state. Applications will be accepted through October 4, 2024, and additional information is available on the Office of Military and Defense's Military Community Programs page.

"Since 2019, FloridaCommerce has invested more than $27.2 million in military community programs, and we are proud to contribute to Governor DeSantis' mission in making Florida the most attractive state for current and future military missions," said FloridaCommerce Secretary J. Alex Kelly. "Eligible defense communities are strongly encouraged to apply for this unique funding opportunity to support military installations, communities, families, and their local economies."

Eligible applicants include defense-dependent local governments and economic development councils representing a local government with a military installation that could be adversely affected by federal actions. Applicants must submit their applications to FloridaCommerce by email no later than 5:00p.m., Eastern Time, on October 4, 2024, to [email protected].

The Florida Defense Infrastructure Grant Program (DIG) supports local infrastructure projects that positively impact the military value of installations within the state by addressing encroachment, transportation and access, housing, utilities, communications, environment, and security needs. Funds are used for projects that benefit both local communities and military installations. Previously, DIG funds have been awarded to projects such as:

• The City of Key West's initiative to construct a reinforced concrete Community Center Resilience Hub for use by the community and the U.S. military during hurricanes.
• The Polk County initiative to acquire land parcels surrounding the Avon Park Air Force Range limits the development of important wetlands and wildlife conservation corridors.
• The Walton County initiative to improve the intersection at State Road 20 and County Road 83A West will greatly improve the safety, access, and operational efficiency of employee access to Eglin Air Force Base.

The Florida Defense Reinvestment Grant Program (DRG) provides support for community-based activities that protect existing military installations, diversify the economy of a defense-dependent community, or develop plans that facilitate the reuse of closed or realigned military installations, such as developing and implementing strategies that will help communities support the mission of military installations. Previously, DRG funds have been awarded to projects such as:

• The Clay County initiative to develop a Strategic Sites Inventory Program, which would catalog shovel-ready sites as part of the development along the First Coast Expressway.
• The City of Jacksonville initiative to craft an analysis on Department of Defense budget priorities and their impact on Northeast Florida military bases and the state of Florida.
• The Miami-Dade Beacon Council initiative to create plans, presentations, and analyses to plan and promote the future Miami-Dade Aerospace Technology Hub.

For additional questions and assistance with the application process, please contact [email protected]. Any updates, additions, and clarifications regarding the application cycle will be posted as an addendum on the Office of Military and Defense's Military Community Programs page.

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