U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL-01) today applauded the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), as well as the leadership demonstrated by the City of Pensacola and the Board of Triumph Gulf Coast, for awarding a $12.25 million grant to the First Congressional District of Florida. The grant addresses critical infrastructure needs at the Pensacola International Airport and establishes a maintenance training facility, including a new 173,000 square-foot airport hanger. The project is expected to bring over 400 jobs to the city of Pensacola.
Congressman Gaetz welcomed the grant, stating, “Once again, the Trump Administration has invested in a big way for Northwest Florida. This project will make the Pensacola Airport a hub of activity for training our nation’s future pilots, creating more jobs for Floridians, and generating many more indirect high-demand, high-paying jobs in the aviation and aerospace industry. I’m thrilled by the continued growth in our community, and thanks to the strong leadership from Mayor Grover Robinson, the City of Pensacola, and the Board of Triumph Gulf Coast, I’m confident this growth will continue long into the future. The excellent collaboration between the City of Pensacola, Escambia County, and Triumph Gulf Coast proves we are moving in an exciting direction. The Trump Administration clearly recognizes the value of Northwest Florida — modernizing our infrastructure shows a bright future for Florida and for our country.”
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON GRANT AWARDS:
This project is funded under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (PL 115-123) (PDF), in which Congress appropriated to the Economic Development Administration $600 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program (PDF) funds for disaster relief and recovery from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, wildfires, and other natural disasters under the Stafford Act.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EDA
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration 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. More information about the U.S. Economic Development Administration can be found HERE.
