TRIUMPH COMMITS $127M FOR NORTH FLORIDA
Special to The Sun
The Triumph Gulf Coast Board has committed over $127 million for economic transformation projects in 2022 across the eight-county region disproportionally affected by the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Triumph funds committed since 2017 now total $425 million. Triumph grants focus on increasing household income across the region through targeted workforce training and industrial building and site readiness projects that result in competitive high-wage job creation.
“Because of Triumph Gulf Coast, the eight-county region is realizing positive growth with the extraordinary opportunities from these transformational projects. Triumph staff has been working tirelessly to help guide the applicants through our process and providing the necessary oversight to ensure absolute compliance. These projects have already made an impact on our economic recovery and diversification, and the Triumph Gulf Coast board is excited to provide funding to make more transformational projects a reality,” said Chair David Bear.
Local projects in Wakulla include an $11,038,669 request from the Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners for a new emergency communications system to be used by Wakulla County Fire and Rescue, Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Management Services, Wakulla County School District and Wakulla County Public Works. The grant funds will be used to purchase and install the system, train personnel and ensure it is operational.
Wakulla’s existing emergency communications system is at risk of not meeting the demands of the current population and is not able to meet the demands of new or expanding businesses or individuals seeking to relocate to Wakulla. A new system will provide emergency and disaster response that can meet increased population and business growth and be upgraded when needed.
Other projects include:
• Bay: The Triumph Board voted to move ahead with two Bay District Schools requests including an $8,075,000 grant for the construction and implementation of the Triumph Training Center at Arnold High School. The training center will expand career and technical education (CTE) in Bay County to meet regional workforce needs.
• Escambia: The Triumph Board moved forward the Escambia Board of County Commissioners’ request for up to $14,200,000 for site readiness at industrial sites located at the OLF-8 development. The project will create a minimum of 338 high-wage jobs paying at least 115% of the Escambia-Santa Rosa MSA average wage.
• Okaloosa: Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) was awarded $21,787,560, the largest grant ever received by NWFSC. The funds will double capacity in the nursing and health science program and invest in virtual reality simulation training.
Triumph’s December 2022 Semi-Annual Report to the Governor and Legislature is available for viewing at www.myfloridatriumph.com/about/reports.
The Triumph Gulf Coast Board of Directors is appointed by the Governor, Chief Financial Officer, Attorney General, and presiding officers of the Legislature. The appointees to the Triumph Board are Chair - David Bear, Vice Chair – Collier Merrill, Treasure - Reynolds Henderson, Bryan Corr, Sr., David Humphreys, Jay Trumbull, Sr., and Leslie Weiss. All meetings of the Board are public.