TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis awarded $5 million through the Pathways to Career Opportunities Grow Your Own Teacher Grant to expand opportunities for teacher apprenticeships in Florida. This program strengthens the state’s teacher pipeline by creating a no-cost apprenticeship pathway to the teaching profession, and will help more than 200 teachers per year become credentialed.

“Florida is proud to offer a hands-on teacher apprenticeship program that prioritizes classroom experience over university-based learning,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “As the national leader in education, we will continue to support our teachers and make sure we have high-quality educators at every school in the state.”

“Governor DeSantis continues to prioritize Florida’s education system through innovative initiatives like the Pathways to Career Opportunities Grow Your Own Teacher Grant,” said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “This funding will allow more aspiring educators to enter into a teaching career while alleviating teacher shortages.”  Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis awarded more than $6.5 million through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund (JGGF) to support key infrastructure improvements that will help bridge supply chain gaps and increase access to industrial sites. The JGGF awards will help expand business opportunities and create more than 2,900 new high-wage jobs and facilitate the growth of Florida’s aerospace, defense and manufacturing sectors.

“These infrastructure investments will support local economies and create nearly 3,000 new jobs,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “In Florida, we are focused on making investments in competitive industries like manufacturing, which will continue to pave the way for a strong, resilient economy that generates business growth.”

“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, key investments like today’s awards to Ormond Beach, Marion County and Haines City focus on Florida’s future by providing site-ready infrastructure to their communities,” said Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “As people and businesses continue to move to Florida, investments in public infrastructure cement good, high-paying job opportunities and make it possible for businesses to relocate and expand.”  Continue reading →

Governor Ron DeSantis announced more than $24 million in awards to sixteen rural communities through the Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF) program. Today’s announcement includes five awards for communities impacted by Hurricane Michael. These funds support community economic development projects that will strengthen public infrastructure and expand job opportunities for employers and families in rural communities.

Additionally, the Governor announced $5 million in available RIF funding for Hurricane Idalia impacted communities. Applications will be accepted through Monday, February 5, 2024 by 5pm., Eastern Time.

“We are committed to providing Florida’s rural communities with the resources they need to support long-term economic growth,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “These investments will improve infrastructure, attract new businesses and accelerate Florida’s unprecedented growth.”  Continue reading →