NORTH PORT, Fla. – Governor Ron DeSantis announced a $1.69 million award to the City of North Port through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund for the installation of water and wastewater infrastructure across 500 acres at the Panacea Activity Center. The City of North Port represents 20 percent of Sarasota County’s growth over the past 10 years, but 90 percent of the workforce commute to work outside the city’s borders. The City of North Port is matching the state’s investment, resulting in a project that is estimated to create as many as 9,700 new, permanent jobs to support the area’s self-sufficiency. This announcement was the final stop on Governor DeSantis’ weeklong tour announcing investments in small and rural communities.
“I’m pleased to award nearly $1.7 million to North Port for the installation of water and wastewater infrastructure, creating jobs and bringing industry to this growing region,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “This is a great community, but most people are commuting elsewhere to work – today, we are investing in infrastructure that will provide opportunities for people to work right here in North Port. By having commonsense policies, keeping our economy open and investing in small and rural communities, we have protected the jobs and livelihoods of thousands of Floridians throughout the state, and will continue to support them.”