Florida: Governor Ron DeSantis Awards $7.2 Million to St. Petersburg College Through the Job Growth Grant Fund and the Workforce Development Capitalization Grant Program
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. ~ St. Petersburg College is set to receive a significant boost in their workforce development efforts thanks to the recent awards from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund (JGGF) and the Workforce Development Capitalization Grant Program. Governor Ron DeSantis announced today that the college will be receiving a total of $7.2 million to establish the Semiconductor, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning Training for Technicians (SMART Tech) 4.0 lab.

The funds awarded to St. Petersburg College will be used to purchase equipment, hire personnel, build facilities, and acquire training materials for the SMART Tech lab. This includes $3.2 million from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund and $4 million from the Workforce Development Capitalization Grant Program.

Governor DeSantis expressed his excitement about these investments in St. Petersburg College's SMART Tech 4.0 lab, stating that it reinforces Florida's position as the number one state for talent development. He emphasized his commitment to providing opportunities for students to develop skills that will lead them to high-wage jobs and leadership roles in various industries.

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Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly also praised these strategic investments made by Governor DeSantis, highlighting their importance in preparing students for careers in advanced manufacturing and semiconductors. He also noted that portable equipment will be utilized in existing spaces at the college while the lab is under construction, allowing for SMART Tech-related classes to continue.

Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the significance of providing students with a quality education that will lead to future opportunities and contribute to building a strong workforce. He credited Governor DeSantis' leadership in propelling Florida towards its goal of becoming the top state for workforce education by 2030.

The focus on semiconductors and advanced manufacturing aligns with Florida's target industries, with nearly $400 million invested over the past two years towards their growth in the state. This latest award further solidifies Florida's commitment to attracting and retaining businesses in these high-demand sectors.

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The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund is an economic development program that aims to promote public infrastructure and workforce training throughout the state. Proposals are reviewed by Florida Commerce and selected by Governor DeSantis to address the workforce training and infrastructure needs of communities across Florida.

Similarly, the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Program offers grants to school districts and Florida College System institutions for creating or expanding career and technical education workforce development programs.

These awards to St. Petersburg College are a testament to Governor DeSantis' dedication to investing in opportunities that will benefit students, businesses, and the overall economy of Florida. With these funds, the college will be able to continue providing students with a quality education that prepares them for success in high-demand industries.

Filed Under: Government, State

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