Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $615,448 to Support Manufacturing and Industrial Growth in Gulf County, Florida

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $615,448 grant to Gulf County, Florida, to make critical, disaster resistant infrastructure improvements needed to support manufacturing and industrial growth at the Costin Airport site and along Cessna Drive in Port St. Joe. The EDA grant, to be matched with $153,862 in local investment, is expected to create 71 jobs and spur $5.2 million in private investment.

“The Trump Administration is committed to supporting the growth of manufacturing in communities across the country,” said Dana Gartzke, Performing the Delegated Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “This project will make infrastructure improvements to serve the Costin Airport site and Cessna Drive to support advanced manufacturing, including a major manufacturer of manned and unmanned aircrafts and other businesses that will diversify and strengthen Gulf County’s economy in the wake of Hurricane Michael.”

“This grant funding is great news for Gulf County and its local economy following the devastating impact of Hurricane Michael,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “While the storm was over two years ago, recovery efforts continue, and this investment in manufacturing and industrial growth is critical to the area’s long-term rebuilding process. Thank you to the Trump Administration and the U.S. Department of Commerce for their continued commitment to Northwest Florida and disaster recovery in our state.”

“I am pleased that the Department of Commerce is investing in disaster resistant infrastructure improvements at the Costin Airport site and along Cessna Drive in Port St. Joe,” said Senator Marco Rubio. “This funding will create jobs and support the continued growth of the region’s manufacturing sector and assist economic recovery from Hurricane Michael.”

“I would like to thank the Trump administration and the U.S. Department of Commerce for their continued investment in Florida’s infrastructure and manufacturing industry,” said Senator Rick Scott. “This announcement, and the creation of over 70 new local jobs in Gulf County, is great news for the area’s economy.”

Hurricane Michael devastated Gulf County in 2018. Recovery from Michael has impacted the county’s ability to provide the infrastructure needed to support economic development. This EDA investment will fund paving of roads and installation of wastewater and electrical services necessary for the operation of a new hangar at Costin Airport and to support the growth of other developable property.

This project is funded by the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 116-20) (PDF), which provided EDA with $600 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program (PDF) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas affected by Hurricanes Florence, Michael, and Lane, Typhoons Yutu and Mangkhut, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and other major natural disasters occurring in calendar year 2018, and tornadoes and floods occurring in calendar year 2019, under the Robert T. Stafford Act. Please visit EDA’s Disaster Supplemental webpage.

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Apalachee Regional Planning Council, which EDA funds to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.