TALLAHASSEE – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that $1,250,000 has been awarded through the Florida Defense Support Task Force Grant Program to five projects to protect military installations across the state, including $500,000 to the Clay County Development Authority.

“These grant awards demonstrate the state of Florida’s commitment to our defense communities,” DeSantis said. “Florida continues to be the most military-friendly state in the country and supporting service members and their families is an honor and responsibility we hold high.”

“These grants reflect the high level of engagement communities throughout Florida have with our military,” said Secretary of Commerce Jamal Sowell, president and CEO of Enterprise Florida. “As a Marine Corps veteran, I take pride in knowing my home state continues to invest in those who serve us.”

Grant funding will support community projects at Florida military installations that will provide support for military families, protect Florida’s bases from future encroachment, enhance defense industry growth, and support community resiliency efforts.

A $500,000 Defense Grant was awarded to Clay County through the Florida Defense Support Task Force Grant Program to buffer Camp Blanding from incompatible land development.

Camp Blanding trains more than 350,000 Florida National Guard troops, active duty military members and law enforcement units.

“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 incompatible land development and encroachment thus protecting the installation that comprises almost one-fifth of the county and is tied to its economic viability.” said Josh Cockrell, Executive Director of the Clay County Development Authority.

Other award recipients include the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners, Polk County Board of County Commissioners, Orlando Economic Partnership and the South Florida Progress Foundation.

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, veterans and businesses that bring military and defense-related jobs to the state.

The Florida Defense Support Task Force Grant Program is administered by Enterprise Florida, and grants are awarded annually, on a project priority basis. For more information on the Florida Defense Support Task Force, visit www.eflorida.com/floridadefense.