ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced today that funds for workforce development have been awarded through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund (JGGF) and the Workforce Development Capitalization Grant Program.
St. Petersburg College will receive these funds, which will be used to establish the Semiconductor, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning Training for Technicians (SMART Tech) 4.0 lab.
The allocation to St. Petersburg College, totaling $7.2 million, comprises $3.2 million from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund and $4 million from the Workforce Development Capitalization Grant Program. These funds will enable the college to purchase equipment, hire personnel, build facilities, and acquire training materials for the new lab.
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“Today’s investments in St. Petersburg College’s SMART Tech 4.0 lab reinforce Florida’s position as the top state for talent development,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “We are committed to creating opportunities that equip students with the skills necessary for high-wage jobs and leadership roles in industry.”
Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly highlighted the strategic importance of these investments, stating, “Governor DeSantis’s strategic investments provide students with the opportunity to learn in fields critical to Florida’s growth in advanced manufacturing and semiconductors. The funds will also help the college utilize portable equipment in existing spaces, allowing them to offer SMART Tech-related classes while the lab is under construction.”
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Education Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. emphasized the broader impact on the state’s workforce, saying, “Providing students with a quality education that leads to future opportunities is essential for building a strong workforce. Under Governor DeSantis’s leadership, Florida is on track to surpass its goal of becoming the number one state for workforce education by 2030.”
Semiconductors and advanced manufacturing are key target industries for Florida. Over the past two years, the state has invested nearly $400 million in these sectors. The award to St. Petersburg College builds on these investments, as Florida continues to attract and retain businesses in high-demand industries.
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