Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced the allocation of $18 million in funding aimed at bolstering Florida’s supply chain and enhancing storage capacity for critical materials used in infrastructure projects, including asphalt and concrete production.
This funding marks the first installment of a $100 million initiative set to be invested over the next five years.
The initial five grant recipients will facilitate the creation of 1.2 million tons of aggregate materials storage and improve rail access to current storage facilities. These resources are essential to supporting major infrastructure projects under Florida’s Moving Florida Forward Initiative.
Read: Florida Gov. DeSantis Holds Roundtable On Condo Safety And Costs
Additionally, Governor DeSantis celebrated the groundbreaking of the I-75 interchange project at Fruitville Road, which will replace the existing cloverleaf design with a diverging diamond configuration. This improvement is expected to enhance safety, logistics, and mobility in the region.
“A strong supply chain is key to Florida’s economic strength. We can’t rely on Washington—we need Florida-based solutions,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “These grants will help our state boost capacity and ensure vital materials reach projects on time.”
Grant Recipients:
- Florida Gulf & Atlantic Railroad: $3.7 million to build a new aggregate terminal in Lake City, supporting an additional 200,000 tons of aggregate annually and 48 rail cars.
- Capital Asphalt: $1.5 million to develop a new terminal in Tallahassee, accommodating 80,000 tons of aggregate annually.
- CSX: $3.9 million for a new terminal in Plant City, with storage capacity for 20 acres and 250,000 tons of aggregate annually.
- Port of Tampa Bay: $6.2 million to construct the Berth 218 aggregate terminal, providing storage for 500,000 tons of limerock annually.
- JAXPORT: $2.6 million to increase rail capacity and provide 15 acres of yard storage for 240,000 tons of aggregate annually.
Read: Florida Gov. DeSantis Vows State Investigation Into Attempted Trump Assassination
“Many Floridians don’t spend a lot of time thinking about construction materials until a disruption in our ability to supply those materials impacts their community,” said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E. “With the support and action of Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature, the transportation construction industry will be able to access these much-needed materials for our infrastructure projects that will help keep construction moving and on time.”
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) identified priority investments to strengthen links in the supply chain and increase storage capacity to allow more aggregate material to be readily available for these critical FDOT projects.
Projects were prioritized based on overall project cost, proximity to aggregate needs statewide, and speed to project completion, ensuring the state can begin relying on these investments as soon as possible.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.