TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Clay County received two defense grants worth a total of $501,500 to buffer Camp Blanding and improve student performance for military children, the Governor's Office announced Wednesday.
The grants were part of $1.8 million awarded through the Florida Defense Support Task Force Grant Program to support seven defense projects across 13 counties.
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Clay County was awarded $400,000 to buffer Camp Blanding, which trains over 350,000 Florida National Guard troops, active duty military members and law enforcement units.
The $400,000 grant will be used along with funding from the St. Johns River Water Management District.
“In accordance with our principal purpose of promoting sound economic development of Clay County, the Clay County Development Authority is pleased to receive this grant that will strengthen the strategic partnership with Camp Blanding Joint Training Center to improve the quality of life for our citizens by securing a buffer from future development and encroachment thus protecting the installation that comprises almost one fifth of the county and is tied to its economic viability,” said Chip Dodson, chair of the Clay County Development Authority.
The county was also granted $101,500 for the National Math Science Initiative, which works in conjunction with existing Department of Education programs to further support the children of the nation’s military members.
The funding will strengthen Florida’s military bases ahead of any potential Department of Defense realignment or closure actions, the Governor's Office said in a news release.
“Florida is home to more than 758,000 service men and women, and as we approach Independence Day, we are reminded of the importance of doing all we can to support and thank these brave heroes that put their lives at risk to defend our country,” Gov. Rick Scott said. “We will continue to work each day to make sure Florida is the most military friendly state in the nation.”
The Florida Defense Support Task Force was created in 2011 with the mission to make recommendations to preserve and protect military installations, support the state’s position in research and development related to military missions and contracting, and improve the state’s military-friendly environment for service members, military families, military retirees and businesses that bring military and base-related jobs to the state.
The grant program is administered by Enterprise Florida, Inc., which awards grants annually, on a project priority basis, to organizations and communities working to protect, preserve and enhance Florida’s military installations and missions.
Duval County also received $12,973 in funding for the Military Child Education Coalition, which supports the school children of military members across 12 counties to improve student outcomes.