Connect with us

North Florida News

Governor Ron DeSantis Awards $8.7 Million for Hurricane Ian Recovery Efforts and Workforce Education

Published

on

Governor Ron DeSantis. Photo: John Raoux/AP.
MATLACHA, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis awarded $7.7 million through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grant program and the Job Growth Grant Fund (JGGF) to support a large-scale rapid credentialing effort between three state colleges, two technical colleges, and Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs). Governor DeSantis also announced $1 million through the Florida Disaster Fund to organizations to support emergency management personnel, national guardsmen, and community members in the recovery process. Organizations awarded today include the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association, the Florida National Guard Foundation, and three community foundations. The Florida Disaster Fund has raised more than $55 million to support local recovery efforts.
“Today’s awards will help residents rebuild, help emergency management personnel and national guardsmen begin their recovery, and provide new employment opportunities for residents,” said Governor Ron DeSantis.
Under Governor DeSantis’ bold leadership, Florida will continue to see dynamic investments that create solutions and break down silos to better support communities,” said Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) Secretary Dane Eagle. “Today’s awards will go a long way for Southwest Florida communities that are still working to get back on their feet following Hurricane Ian, and I look forward to the opportunities these programs will create for Floridians.”
“Governor DeSantis has led an unprecedented effort to expedite recovery in the areas of our state affected by Hurricane Ian,” said CareerSource Florida President and CEO Michelle Dennard. “The Governor’s investment will provide additional resources to connect Floridians with rewarding new careers, and we applaud the selfless service of our colleagues at CareerSource Suncoast, CareerSource Heartland, and CareerSource Southwest Florida as well as our education partners who are helping make their communities whole again.”
“Hurricane Ian caused unimaginable loss to families across Southwest Florida,” said Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “Some will have to completely start over and others will have to go to significant lengths to mitigate the financial impact. Due to the unwavering support and leadership of Governor DeSantis, this funding will allow our educational institutions to lighten the burden and transform lives through workforce education.”
Following Hurricane Ian, several high-skill and high-wage occupations like trucking and logistics, healthcare, information technology, manufacturing, and diesel maintenance will be needed in the region. Funding awarded today will help students graduate with Commercial Driving Licenses and provide opportunities for short-term, high-impact training in manufacturing and technology. This initiative also focuses on the development of rapid credentialing programs in welding, logistics, and aviation maintenance throughout the impacted counties in Southwest Florida.
Funding highlights include:
$7.7 million through WIOA and the JGGF to administer funding for rapid credentialing programs.
  • State College of Florida ($2,940,000) – for the commercial driver license credentialing program.
  • Florida Southwestern College (1,980,000) – for information technology credentialing programs.
  • South Florida State College ($618,842) – for commercial driver license, welding, and tractor programs.
  • Fort Myers Technical College ($973,000) – for diesel maintenance mechanic and Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) programs.
  • Cape Coral Technical College ($200,000) – for practical nursing credentialing programs.
  • $482,000 through the Governor’s Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to support credentialing program equipment needs across the five awarded educational institutions.
  • $1 million to CareerSource Suncoast, CareerSource Heartland, and CareerSource Southwest Florida to provide training and support for rapid credentialing programs.
The Florida Disaster Fund is the State of Florida’s official private fund established to assist Florida’s communities as they respond to and recover during times of emergency or disaster. In partnership with the public sector, private sector, and other non-governmental organizations, the Florida Disaster Fund supports response and recovery activities.
Organizations awarded funds from the Florida Disaster Fund today are:
  • $500,000 to the Florida National Guard Foundation.
  • $125,000 to the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association which represents emergency management professionals across the state.
  • $125,000 to the Collier County Community Foundation.
  • $125,000 to the Charlotte County Community Foundation.
  • $125,000 to Collaboratory, a community foundation helping communities across Southwest Florida.
Funds awarded to the community foundations will be utilized for local efforts to repair and rebuild homes in Southwest Florida.

North Florida News

Representative Angie Nixon: Florida’s 2024 Legislative Session was One Big Missed Opportunity

Published

on

Tallahassee, Fla. – With Florida’s 2024 Legislative Session finally complete, it was clear that the elite corporate donors of Florida’s ambitious Republican politicians were the only winners. Session was a missed opportunity to serve the people of Florida whose top priorities were not addressed by Governor Ron DeSantis and his Republican allies in the legislature.

“Whether we’re talking about Florida’s youth, working families, or retirees, regardless of party affiliation, nearly everyone continues to struggle under Florida’s affordability crisis. We have skyrocketing property and auto insurance rates, along with the endless rise in housing and utility costs and Republican leaders have wasted this opportunity to provide real relief,” said Representative Angie Nixon (D-Jacksonville).

“Instead, we’ve seen too many attacks on the communities that struggle, not only with meeting their basic needs, but with feeling safe in their communities and hopeful about their futures. All Floridians deserve the freedom to be healthy and live safely while achieving prosperity through their hard work, but Governor Ron DeSantis and Republican leaders have failed to do their part in making it a reality.”

Continue Reading

North Florida News

Governor Ron DeSantis Makes Judicial Appointments for Seminole County Court and Sarasota County Court

Published

on

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announces two judicial appointments: one to the Seminole County Court and one to the Sarasota County Court.

Sylvia Grunor, of Sanford, to serve as Judge on the Seminole County Court
Grunor has worked as a Partner at Sylvia Grunor, P.A. since 2003. Previously, she was Of Counsel for Wicker, Smith, Tutan, et al., P.A. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida and her juris doctor from Stetson University. Grunor fills the judicial vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Herr.

Shannon Hankin, of Sarasota, to serve as Judge on the Sarasota County Court
Hankin has worked as a Partner at Hankin & Hankin since 2014. Previously, she served as an Assistant State Attorney in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Emory University and her juris doctor from the University of Georgia. Hankin fills the judicial vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Felix

Continue Reading

North Florida News

Florida State Senator Rosalind Osgood on Passage of (SB 62) Legislation Upholding Educational Equity

Published

on

Tallahassee, Fla. – On Wednesday, March 6th, 2024, the Florida Legislature officially passed SB 62 – Resident Status for Tuition Purposes. SB 62, introduced by Senator Rosalind Osgood (D-Tamarac) and Representative Jervonte Edmonds (D-West Palm Beach), allows individuals who have been incarcerated in a state or federal correctional facility in Florida not to lose his or her residency status. Geared towards education, this bill is a step forward for previously incarcerated students to either continue or start their education post-release.


This legislation, brought to Representative Edmonds by Miami Dade College, affords formerly incarcerated individuals access to in-state tuition rates and is a commitment to promoting a more forgiving educational environment that values rehabilitation and second chances. In response, Florida State Senator Rosalind Osgood issued the following statement:

This monumental victory in the Florida Legislature marks a significant stride towards educational equity for students from all walks of life. By ensuring that individuals who have been incarcerated maintain their residency status, this legislation not only dismantles financial obstacles but also reduces the stigma associated with past incarceration. I would like to extend a huge thank you to Representative Edmonds for his untiring dedication to this cause over in the House. I would also like to thank my fellow legislators for supporting this very important bill.”

 

 

 

 

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement Ticket Time Machine ad
Advertisement Orlando Regional REALTOR Association logo
Advertisement Parts Pass App
Advertisement Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando
Advertisement
Advertisement African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida
Advertisement FNN News en Español
Advertisement Indian American Chamber of Commerce logo
Advertisement Florida Sports Channel

FNN Newsletter

Trending