Pinellas County receives $200,000 defense grant

Local defense partners in Pinellas County were awarded $200,000 through Florida’s Defense Infrastructure Grant.

Last month, Gov. Rick Scott announced eight counties will receive funding from Florida’s Defense Infrastructure Grant. Pinellas County of the Super Region was one of them.

Pinellas was awarded $200,000 of the $1.6 million allotted to the eight counties, to help improve the lives of military families, as well as make improvements to the area. Building a pedestrian walkway at the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater would be one of the main projects funded through this grant. Other projects include transportation and security initiatives.

In the state, Florida’s military and defense industry accounts for $73.4 billion of gross state product and employs more than 758,000 residents. In Pinellas, the industry accounts for $3.61 billion in economic impact and 39,702 jobs.

The state has administered this grant for more than 15 years, making it an integral player in establishing Florida as the most military-friendly state in the nation. The grants are awarded annually by Enterprise Florida Inc. on a project-prioritized basis.

Other counties in the Super Region receiving funds through Florida’s defense grants: