Plant City project to get 'job growth' money from the state
By The News Service of Florida
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Jun 25, 2024

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday directed more than $10.3 million from the state’s Job Growth Grant Fund to help provide infrastructure for an industrial park in Umatilla and a commercial development project in Plant City.

The Umatilla funding, $4.87 million, is tied to an effort to convert land that was part of the city’s wastewater operations into the Lake Fern Industrial Park, which will be used for such things as a manufacturing facility.

The $5.5 million going to Plant City will help build an access road and provide water and electric utility services for a commercial development.

DeSantis, who announced the grant awards during an appearance in Lake County, has the discretion to use the Job Growth Grant Fund for infrastructure and job-training projects and programs. The state budget for the fiscal year that will start July 1 includes $75 million for the fund.