Gov. Bush awards defense infrastructure grants
 
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Oct. 5, 2006 -- Gov. Jeb Bush announced defense grant awards totaling more than $4.2 million to 13 projects throughout the state to improve defense infrastructure. The Florida Defense Infrastructure Grant Program provides funds annually to communities hosting military installations on a priority project basis, and as budget appropriations permit.
 
"The defense infrastructure grant program allows us to support our defense-related assets and their host communities by investing in important infrastructure improvements," says Bush. "Florida has become the clear leader in military-state relations and this program is just one way our state contributes to the preparedness, efficiency, and overall mission of our nation’s armed forces."
 
Established in 1999, the Defense Grant Program addresses base infrastructure needs. Without such infrastructure enhancements, the installations would be less effective in carrying out their missions and training. The Defense Grant Program has received steady backing from the Florida Legislature.
 
The Defense Infrastructure Grants were awarded based on an independent review conducted by a panel named by the Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in cooperation with Enterprise Florida Inc., and its Florida Defense Alliance. The review panel examined issues such as the ability to increase base efficiencies, dual-use opportunities, economic impact, cost factors and the extent to which other funds were leveraged.
 
Defense infrastructure grant recipients
 
• Recipient: Bay County - $275,000
Project: Connect Air Force Research Laboratories to the Bay County-Mexico Beach
Water Main.
 
• Recipient: City of Jacksonville - $175,000
Project: Wastewater Reuse Design in 2006.
 
• Recipient: City of Key West - $150,000
Project: Fleming Key Buoys for ESQD Arcs.
· Recipient: City of Key West - $100,000
Project: Truman Waterfront Master Planning.
 
• Recipient: City of Tampa - $460,000
Project: Land Acquisition.
 
• Recipient: Clay County - $500,000
Project: Training Center.
 
• Recipient: Highlands County - $210,000
Project: Conduct a Joint Land Use Study for Avon Park Air Force Range.
 
• Recipient: Miami-Dade County - $520,000
Project: Upgrade of Homestead Air Force Reserve Base Pump Station 545.

• Recipient: Okaloosa County EDC - $350,000
Project: Joint Gulf Range Buffering.
 
• Recipient: Orange City R&D Authority & NCS - $378,500
Project: FEDSU - Federal, State, University, Network.
 
• Recipient: Pensacola COC - $500,000
Project: Area "A" Density Reduction.
 
• Recipient: Santa Rosa County - $500,000
Project: Land Use Acquisition.

• Recipient: Space Coast EDC - $160,000
Project: Study and Assessment of Naval Ordnance Test Unit Facilities to Implement
Enhanced Use Lease.

© 2006 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® 

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