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Governor Rick Scott

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING… Florida Job Growth Grant Fund Recipients Highlight Initiative’s Impact on Economy

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Yesterday, Governor Rick Scott announced nearly $10 million in awards for six Florida Job Growth Grant Fund projects. The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, established by Governor Scott and the Florida Legislature last year, provides $85 million for improving public infrastructure and enhancing workforce training in Florida. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has received more than 246 proposals requesting more than $866 million in funding. Yesterday’s announcement reflects a total of nearly $70 million in funding awarded to 27 communities across the state to promote infrastructure and job training since 2017.

Here’s what this round of grantees are saying:

Dr. Jim Richey, President of Eastern Florida State College said, “We’re very grateful to Gov. Scott for his efforts to provide the grant. It will play a significant role in helping us educate and train a new generation of high-tech workers for business and industry in Florida, and for companies launching a new era of human spaceflight from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. We look forward to working closely with Daytona State College to ensure the initiative is a success.”

Bobby Steele, Chairman of the Baker County Board of Commissioners said, “We would like to thank the Governor and his team for their continued support of economic development throughout the state; and more specifically for their support of economic development here in Baker County. Woodstock Industrial Park is a premier development opportunity that will bring industry and investment to Baker County; creating opportunities for good jobs for our entire region. This investment in Baker County is a large step forward in advancing Baker County as a preferred location for new business.”

Joe Pickens, President of St. Johns River State College said, “St. Johns River State College appreciates the funding received from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund and is honored to be one of the recipients. The grant will support the establishment of a new Engineering-Advanced Manufacturing program that was designed in partnership with our regional businesses to help meet their demand for a trained and skilled workforce to support the production and automation needed in today’s advanced manufacturing environments. This initiative demonstrates our strategic commitment to build sustainable, high skilled/high wage opportunities for the citizens and businesses of Northeast Florida, further diversifying our local and state economy.”

Dr. Lawrence Barrett, President of Florida Gateway College said, “Florida Gateway College embraces Governor Scott’s support of economic development and job growth opportunities in the Lake City, Columbia County area. We look forward to working with our industry partners in pursuing this outstanding workforce initiative.”

Ken Doherty, Chairman of the Charlotte County Commission said, “Florida Job Growth Fund grants are awarded to a limited number of applicants. This grant shows that Gov. Scott and his team are believers in the economic potential of Charlotte County. We are proud of our strong working relationships with the state and sincerely appreciate being selected for a grant of this magnitude.”

Kevin E. Hyde, Interim President of Florida State College at Jacksonville said, “We are grateful for this grant and our partners who allow us to further our workforce development initiatives in these key areas of opportunity. Many thanks to Governor Scott, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and Enterprise Florida for entrusting us with this award to build more students’ learning and employment opportunities and come closer to closing the talent gap in the manufacturing and logistics industries.”

For more information about the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, visitwww.FloridaJobs.org/JobGrowth.

Gov. Scott: Nearly $10 Million in New Florida Job Growth Grant Fund Projects to Propel Florida’s Thriving Economy

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Today, Governor Rick Scott announced nearly $10 million in awards for six Florida Job Growth Grant Fund projects. The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, established by Governor Scott and the Florida Legislature last year, provides $85 million for improving public infrastructure and enhancing workforce training in Florida. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has received more than 246 proposals requesting more than $866 million in funding. Today’s announcement reflects a total of nearly $70 million in funding awarded to 27 communities across the state to promote infrastructure and job training since 2017.

[Read more…] about Gov. Scott: Nearly $10 Million in New Florida Job Growth Grant Fund Projects to Propel Florida’s Thriving Economy

Gov. Scott: Floridians Need to Monitor Weather Closely

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Governor Rick Scott met with Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford and Panama City Beach Mayor Mike Thomas to prepare for upcoming impacts from Subtropical Storm Alberto. At the meeting, Gov. Scott urged Floridians to watch the weather closely and make a plan. To make a plan, visit FLGetaPlan.com.

The Governor will continue to be in constant communication with state and local emergency management officials and state agency leaders to ensure the state is prepared to respond to any potential impacts from Subtropical Storm Alberto. In an abundance of caution as the State of Florida continues to monitor Subtropical Storm Alberto and prepare for impacts over the coming days, Governor Scott has directed that the State Emergency Operations Center activate to Level 2.

*NOTE: Gov. Scott made these remarks while the storm was categorized as Invest 90L. At 11am, the National Hurricane System classified the storm as Subtropical Storm Alberto.

Gov. Scott to Attend National Salute to America’s Heroes

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MEDIA ADVISORY

Today, May 25th, Governor Scott will attend the National Salute to America’s Heroes to honor Florida’s military and veterans. At the event, Gov. Scott will give an update on Subtropical Storm Alberto.

WHAT: Press Conference
WHEN: 2:00 PM
WHERE: U.S. Coast Guard Air Station-Miami, FL
14750 NW 44th Ct.
Opa-Locka, FL, 33054

Gov. Scott Recognizes 90 Veterans with Veterans Service Award

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Governor Rick Scott visited the C.W. Bill Young Armed Forces Reserve Center in Pinellas Park to award 90 veterans with his Governor’s Service Medal. Since 2013 Governor Scott has awarded nearly 15,000 veterans with the Governor’s Veterans Service Medal. [Read more…] about Gov. Scott Recognizes 90 Veterans with Veterans Service Award

Gov. Scott Directs Florida Dept. of State to Draw Down $19 Million in Federal Funding for Elections Cybersecurity

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Following Governor Rick Scott’s recent direction to the Florida Department of State (DOS) to hire five cyber security specialists to ensure Florida’s elections remain secure, the Governor today directed DOS to draw down $19 million in federal funding to further enhance cybersecurity in Florida’s elections. The Department will submit a plan to the federal government as outlined by federal law to bolster security for local elections offices, who are responsible for elections security. Once this plan is approved by Federal Elections Assistance Commission, DOS will work with the Florida Legislature to provide this funding to Supervisors of Elections, as well as bolster state efforts to enhance cybersecurity and voting practices prior to this November’s elections.

Governor Scott said, “The integrity of our elections is paramount, and we’ll keep fighting to ensure that every Floridian continues to have confidence in our elections process. By directing DOS to draw down more federal funding, we are providing the resources our local elections officials need to keep our elections secure. I will continue to do everything in my power to make sure that Florida has zero fraud in our elections.”

Recent actions taken by the Scott Administration to enhance voting security:

  • DOS has also been working diligently with Supervisors of Elections to help Florida counties modernize their voting systems. More than two-thirds of Florida counties have completed a voting equipment modernization and the majority of the remaining counties are in the process of completing a modernization or upgrade.
  • Prior to the 2016 election, DOS upgraded to state-of-the-art hardware, software and firewalls to safeguard voter information in the Florida Voter Registration System (FVRS) and prevent any possible hacking attempts from being successful.
  • DOS is also enhancing the security of the Florida Election Watch website to ensure there is no disruption in election night reporting of results as well as strengthening protections of Florida’s online voter registration website.
  • During the 2018 Legislative Session, DOS received $1.9 million in funding to provide grants to Supervisors of Elections for the purchase of a Network Monitoring Security solution, called ALBERT, that is offered through the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC). This system identifies and shares information about potential threats with states and assists with the 24-7 monitoring of state networks for suspicious activity. Several Supervisors of Elections have completed the process to get ALBERT online in their county, and many others have initiated the process.

Gov. Scott: Pratt & Whitney to Create 215 New Jobs and Expand in Palm Beach County

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Governor Rick Scott today announced that Pratt & Whitney, a leading global manufacturer of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units, will be expanding its site in Palm Beach County and creating 215 new jobs. In addition to these new jobs, since 2012, Pratt & Whitney has created 300 jobs for Florida families and employs a total of more than 1,300 Floridians.

Governor Scott said, “Today, I am proud to announce 215 new jobs for families in Palm Beach County. As Governor, one of the best parts of my job is meeting families across our state and over the past seven years, I’ve heard firsthand from them just how important our focus on job growth is to their success. Today’s exciting announcement shows why Florida is leading the nation in job growth and why we will never stop fighting to make sure that hard-working companies, like Pratt & Whitney, can grow and create jobs.”

David Carter, Senior Vice President of Engineering for Pratt & Whitney, said, “Pratt & Whitney is committed to expanding operations at our West Palm Beach facility and creating highly-skilled and good-paying jobs. We are thankful for the support we receive from the State of Florida and Palm Beach County as we add 215 positions to our employee base of 1,300 and $100 million in capital investment in addition to over $88 million we’ve invested in manufacturing and technology improvements to this site since 2012.”

Peter Antonacci, CEO of Enterprise Florida Inc., said, “Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in aviation technology and manufacturing. This expansion of the Pratt & Whitney footprint is a big win for Palm Beach County families.”

Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “Pratt & Whitney’s expansion is another sign that employers are benefiting from Florida’s pro-business policies and finding the talent they need to grow in the Sunshine State. The new jobs in manufacturing and engineering will provide opportunities for hardworking families in the area.”

Palm Beach County Commissioner Steve Abrams said, “These new jobs are incredibly important for families in our community. Not only is Pratt & Whitney creating high-paying jobs, but it’s also making investments in our community to benefit our residents for years to come.”

Kelly Smallridge, president and CEO of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, said, “With deep roots in our county for more than 60 years, Pratt and Whitney has served as the foundation of our robust Aviation/Aerospace/Engineering (AAE) cluster and significant contributor to our community. Palm Beach County is home to more than 1,300 AAE companies that employ approximately 17,000 residents. This expansion further signifies the competitiveness of our county and state in growing high quality, innovation based companies.”

The project was made possible through strong partnerships between Enterprise Florida, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and Palm Beach County’s Business Development Board.

Gov. Scott Awards More Than 220 Veterans with Veterans Service Award at the National Guard Armory in Deland

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Governor Rick Scott visited the National Guard Armory in Deland and awarded 224 veterans with his Governor’s Service Medal. Since 2013 Governor Scott has awarded more than 14,500 veterans with the Governor’s Veterans Service Medal.

The following Florida veterans were highlighted during today’s ceremony:

Staff Sergeant Ryan Bounds

Staff Sergeant Ryan Bounds enlisted in the Army at 17 years old, and has served for 14 years. He served in Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Among his many awards and achievements, he has received the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Global War on Terrorism Service Ribbon.

Sergeant Christopher Creese

Sergeant Christopher Creese has served for 17 years, and deployed to Iraq in 2009. Among his many awards and commendations, he has received the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon and the National Defense Service Medal.

Master Chief Charles Mayer

Master Chief Charles Mayer joined the Navy in 1959 during the Vietnam War. He continued to serve for 25 years before retiring in 1984. Among his many awards and commendations, he has received the Good Conduct Medal, two Navy Commendation Medals, the Navy Expedition Medal, the Armed Forces Expedition Medal and the Meritorious Unit Medal.

Lance Corporal Charles Williams

Lance Corporal Charles Williams joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1965. He was deployed to Vietnam as a Rifleman and participated with his unit in 14 campaigns in support of efforts against the North Vietnamese Army. For their part in the war, his unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and Lance Corporal Williams received the Purple Heart for his injuries sustained in combat. Today, he focuses his talents on assisting veterans as the Commander of the Orange Baker Memorial American Legion Post 187 in DeLand.

Gov. Scott: Floridians Must be Prepared for Significant Rain, Possible Flooding

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Directs FWC to Pre-Position and Stage
High Water Vehicles For Rapid Deployment

Governor Rick Scott today urged Floridians to prepare for significant rain and possible flooding as the state continues to monitor the development of a weather system in the Caribbean Sea. In anticipation of heavy rain and flooding across Gulf Coast communities this week, Governor Scott today also directed Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Executive Director Eric Sutton to pre-position and stage the agency’s high water vehicles and other flood response resources for rapid deployment if needed. The weather system, now designated as Invest 90L by the National Hurricane Center (NHC), is currently east of Belize and producing a large area of disorganized weather as it slowly moves north into the Gulf of Mexico. The Governor received a briefing from the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) on the weather system this morning.

Governor Scott said, “As we continue to monitor the developing weather system in the Caribbean Sea, we know that families can never be too careful or over-prepared when it comes to severe weather. Although the storm currently has a relatively low chance of development into a tropical system, we must take it seriously. That’s why it is critically important that all Floridians take this opportunity to get prepared and make a plan that ensures the safety of their family and loved ones. To make sure we are absolutely prepared, today, I also directed FWC Executive Director Eric Sutton to pre-position and stage its high water vehicles and all other flood response resources so they may be rapidly deployed to assist Floridians in need in the event of any flooding. FDEM is working hand-in-hand with the NHC to track this weather and we will continue to release regular updates on Florida’s preparation for severe weather and flooding as this system develops. I encourage all Floridians to follow @FLSERT on Twitter and visit FloridaDisaster.org to create an emergency preparedness plan for their family today.”

Gov. Scott: Florida’s crime rate hits 47-year low

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Since 2011, Florida’s crime rate has dropped 27 percent

Governor Rick Scott today announced that Florida’s crime rate is now at a 47-year low. The crime rate has dropped six percent since 2016, and since Gov. Scott took office, the crime rate has dropped 27 percent. In 2017, there were 28,640 fewer crimes than in 2016, which is a 4.5 percent decrease. This year, Governor Scott was proud to invest more than $5.2 billion in public safety in the Securing Florida’s Future budget.

Governor Scott said, “We continue to make investments each year to keep our communities safe, and these investments are working. Today, I’m proud to announce that crime is at a 47-year low in our state. Our state’s continuously decreasing crime rate is a reminder of the dedication and hard work of Florida’s law enforcement officers. We must continue to support and thank them every day for their commitment to keeping Florida families safe.”

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi said, “Our crime rate continues to decline because of our brave law enforcement officers and dedicated prosecutors. Sadly, Florida has lost five law enforcement heroes this year, and while we celebrate the state’s lowest crime rate in 47 years, let’s not forget the high price of our safety and the heroes who pay it.”

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam said, “Florida’s 47-year low crime rate is due to the tireless and selfless efforts of our law enforcement officers. Our law enforcement officers face unprecedented challenges, yet continue to courageously protect Floridians and visitors. Let us all be grateful for the brave men and women who protect our communities and make our state the best place to live, work and raise families.”

Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis said, “The men and women behind the badge lay their lives on the line every day as they answer our calls for help. Law enforcement officials are the fabric of our communities. As a result their steadfast commitment to protecting Floridians, our state has now embraced the lowest crime rate we’ve seen in 47 years – an accomplishment that is nothing short of remarkable. While there is always more work to be done, Floridians have a lot to be thankful for and we couldn’t be any happier with this most recent accomplishment.”

FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen said, “I want to thank Florida’s more than 45,000 law enforcement officers working to keep our communities safe. These officers are routinely called into dangerous and volatile situations risking their own lives to protect ours.”

Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson, Florida Sheriffs Association President, said, “This marks another year of lower crime rates due to the dedication and expertise of law enforcement across the state. The 67 Sheriffs of Florida salute the hard-working men and women who hold the line every minute, of every day, to keep Floridians and our visitors safe. We will continue to protect and serve, and conduct annual strategic operations through the Florida Sheriffs Task Force to set the bar for the rest of the nation.”

Miami Shores Police Chief Kevin Lystad, Florida Police Chiefs Association President, said, “Each and every day, law enforcement officers are working in their communities to reduce crime and keep Florida safe. The good news is that we’ve seen the overall crime rate continue to decrease, but there’s been an uptick in domestic violence and forcible sex offenses. These are issues every community faces and we encourage citizens to continue to report these crimes so law enforcement officers can get offenders off the street.”

R.J. Larizza, President of the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, said, “State Attorneys across Florida work every day to ensure that Florida communities are safe. We would like to thank Governor Scott, the Florida Cabinet, FDLE and all of our law enforcement partners for working together to reach today’s achievement.”

View the 2017 Annual Uniform Crime Report HERE.