Get There: Governor Ron DeSantis Announces More than $35 Million to Accelerate the Growth of Florida's Semiconductor Industry

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Jan 18, 2024, 17:21 ET

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Jan. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that more than $35 million in funding from the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program will be allocated to Florida school districts and Florida College System institutions to create or expand semiconductor-related instructional programs for students. Because of the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida is already #5 in the US for semiconductor manufacturing jobs and #3 in the nation for semiconductor establishments. This investment will help cultivate a highly skilled workforce, which is integral to sustaining Florida's growing semiconductor industry.

"By providing workforce education in our classrooms, students learn skills they can use to obtain high-paying jobs in growing industries like semiconductor manufacturing," said Governor Ron DeSantis. "This investment continues our commitment to making Florida number one for workforce education and positioning our state at the forefront of innovation."

"This forward-thinking approach to workforce education underscores Governor DeSantis' commitment not only to maintaining Florida's strong standing in semiconductor manufacturing but also to ensuring that the next generation of professionals are well equipped to lead in this critical industry," said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. "We will continue to find ways to provide our students the tools they need to succeed in Florida's workforce."

The following institutions will receive funding to create or expand semiconductor-related instruction through the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant:

Alachua County School District
Brevard County School District
Broward County School District
Calhoun County School District
Charlotte County School District
Citrus County School District
Clay County School District
Collier County School District
Columbia County School District
Duval County School District
Gadsden County School District
Hernando County School District
Highlands School District
Hillsborough County School District
Leon County School District
Marion County School District
Okeechobee County School District
Osceola County School District
Orange County School District
Palm Beach County School District
Pasco County School District
Pinellas County School District
St. Johns County School District
Suwannee County School District
Taylor County School District
Wakulla County School District
Walton County School District
Washington County School District
College of Central Florida
Florida Gateway College
Northwest Florida State College
Palm Beach State College
Pasco-Hernando State College
Seminole State College of Florida
Tallahassee Community College
Valencia College

This $35 million investment is part of the $100 million allocated to the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program. The program provides grants to school districts and Florida College System institutions to fund some or all of the costs associated with the creation or expansion of career and technical education workforce development programs that lead to industry certifications included on the CAPE Industry Certification Funding List. School districts and Florida College System institutions can take advantage of and apply for the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program. You can find more information about the application process if you click here.

SOURCE Get There