FL STEM Navigator: News From the Field
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Five state colleges in Central Florida will receive nearly $10 million after Gov. Ron DeSantis recently handed out grants allowing them to expand career and technical training programs. The money will go to Eastern Florida State College, Indian River State College, Polk State College, Valencia College and Seminole State College.
“These grants will help students develop the skills in demand in key industries—ensuring Florida remains the national leader in workforce development and economic growth,” DeSantis posted on X. For instance:
- Eastern Florida State College will get $1.5 million for its welding and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) certificate programs.
- Indian River State College’s HVAC, electronics, building and robotics programs will get $1.3 million.
- There will be $2.8 million for Polk State College’s programs for welding and computers.
- Seminole State College gets $2.8 million to set up a program to help the construction and engineering industries.
- Valencia College will receive $1.5 million to expand its electrician and welding programs.
The grants were issued from the Job Growth Grant Fund, a pot of money used to underwrite transportation infrastructure and job training projects. It’s a cherished program for DeSantis, whose Department of Commerce vets applications and doles out grants to projects designed to bring jobs and economic growth. The fate of the fund had been in question amid budget talks between the House and Senate. But the Senate agreed to put $25 million toward the fund for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1, as part of supplemental funding colloquially known around the Capitol as “sprinkle lists.” DeSantis was expected to return to Tallahassee after a trade mission in France June 16-18. As of June 18, the Legislature had not sent him the budget for consideration.
