Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday directed $7.5 million from the state’s Job Growth Grant Fund to help redevelop a shrimp dock in Lee County.
DeSantis said the work will expand the facility at San Carlos Maritime Park — damaged by Hurricane Ian in 2022 — to serve as an emergency operations location as well as a distribution point for shrimp boats.
“Obviously, it’s an important part of the economy. It’s needed for disaster response,” DeSantis said during an appearance at a Home Depot in Fort Myers. “So, they’re going to have a bulkhead for barge operations, port improvements, loading docks and mooring points.”
Read: Florida Gov. DeSantis Says Budget Decisions Coming Soon
The governor has discretion to use the Job Growth Grant Fund for infrastructure and job-training projects and programs.
Lawmakers have included $75 million for the fund in the proposed budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, which will start July 1.
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