Destin – At its final meeting of 2021 in Destin, Triumph Gulf Coast approved over $36.8 million to create 6,448 Cyber and IT certifications requested by existing companies in the region and 717 high wage job that will pay an average wage of up to $61,000.
Escambia County
The Triumph Board moved forward with a grant proposal from Pensacola State College (PSC) for $11,998,919 to expand its existing Cybersecurity and IT Program creating 6,448 new industry certifications. The project will allow the college to integrate certificate attainment into course requirements, ensuring both a certificate high attainment rate and an academic curriculum that will match industry needs in the short term and into the future.
PSC began teaching Cybersecurity in 2013. The grant will be used to expand the program and facility at a total cost of $42,973,919 in partnership with funds from the State of Florida, Escambia County, Santa Rosa County and the City of Pensacola. Employers from diverse industries have indicated their support and the need for the College’s expanded Cybersecurity and IT industry certificate training program.
The Triumph Board also unanimously moved to draft an agreement with the Pensacola-Escambia Promotion and Development Commission (PEDC) for a $2,500,000 grant to assist the PEDC in acquiring a facility to be leased by Project Pioneer. Project Pioneer is a life science company who will create at least 63 new jobs at an average wage of at least $61,000, which is 136% higher than the current 2021 Escambia average wage. The total project, including facility build out, will cost at least $17,665,000.
Santa Rosa County
Santa Rosa County’s request for $15,378,683 to acquire and improve the Milton Industrial Park was moved forward by the Triumph Board. To meet demand for industrial sites with easy access to 1-10, Triumph is participating in the development of its fourth industrial park with Santa Rosa County.
The Milton Industrial Park project will create at least 454 high wage jobs that will pay at least 115% of the average wage in Santa Rosa County. The Triumph grant will be matched by a minimum of $21 million in private funds.
Bay County
The Triumph Board approved to move to term sheet for Bay County’s request for up to $7,000,000 to support the recruitment of Project Lightning Strike, a 200 job manufacturing project. Project Lightning Strike will pay a minimum of 115% of Bay County’s average wage and will contribute to the total project cost of $21,970,291.
The funds will be used by Bay County to acquire and improve land for part of Project Lightning Strike’s operations and for property tax reductions.
Annual Board Elections were held with Don Gaetz being re-elected Chair, Collier Merrill elected Vice Chair, Reynolds Henderson elected Treasurer and Susan Skelton re-elected Secretary.
The Triumph Gulf Coast Board of Directors is appointed by the Governor, Chief Financial Officer, Attorney General and presiding officers of the Legislature. The appointees to the Triumph Board are David Bear, Allan Bense, Chair Don Gaetz, Reynolds Henderson, Ben Lee, Collier Merrill and Matt Terry. All meetings of the Board are public.