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SANTA ROSA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) — Santa Rosa County has been awarded $525,000 in grant funding to be used for Whiting Aviation Park projects.
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According to a Santa Rosa County news release, the funding comes from two Florida state grant programs: $250,000 will come from the Defense Reinvestment Grant and $275,000 from the Florida Defense Support Commission Grant.
"The grant funds will be used to design and prepare for further expansion of the county's Whiting Aviation Park to make room for additional companies and provide for more high-paying jobs and opportunities for our citizens," said Colten Wright, Board of County Commissioners Chairman.
The money will help the county move forward with Phase II of Whiting Aviation Park by funding "data collection, engineering analysis and design necessary to extend Don Salter Boulevard into the Phase II development area," the release said.
It will also fund a land and easement acquisition program that is designed to "protect Naval Air Station Whiting Field and its Navy Outlying Fields from incompatible development," the release said.
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"These grants are an important investment in Santa Rosa County's future," said Shannon Ogletree, Santa Rosa County Economic Development Director. "Our strong aviation presence and connection to Naval Air Station Whiting Field continue to raise Santa Rosa County's profile as a desirable place for aviation and defense-related companies to invest and grow. Expanding Whiting Aviation Park will help us build on that momentum, attract new businesses, create high-quality jobs and strengthen the infrastructure needed to support continued economic growth."
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