Important News

Tallahassee, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of David Bear to the Triumph Gulf Coast Board of Directors.

David Bear
Bear, of Pensacola, is Vice President of The Lewis Bear Company. He is the current Chairman of the Escambia County Tourist Development Council and Vice Chair of the FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance. Bear is also Vice Chair of the Florida Beer Wholesaler Association, Founder and Trustee Emeritus of Art, Culture and Entertainment, Inc., and a past President of the Creative Learning Academy. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Belhaven College.

Originally published at https://www.flgov.com/2021/08/13/governor-ron-desantis-appoints-david-bear-to-the-triumph-gulf-coast-board-of-directors/

At today’s Triumph Gulf Coast Board meeting in DeFuniak Springs, Triumph Gulf Coast welcomed Mr. Reynolds Henderson of Walton County and Mr. Collier Merrill of Escambia County to the Triumph Board. The Board also approved over $14 million dollars for industry certifications in Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence and new technologies at Florida State University – Panama City and Okaloosa County School District.

Okaloosa

Okaloosa County School District (OCSD) was awarded a $2,840,000 grant for 1,100 industry-recognized credentials in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and unmanned systems. The Artificial Intelligence Learning Institutes will implement an industry certification program in Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning for K-12 students developed with the University of Florida. 

The program will be able to be replicated across Northwest Florida and will showcase to companies seeking to expand or relocate to Northwest Florida that the region’s schools can serve as national model for Career Technical Education. 

Bay 

The Board gave its support to Florida State University Panama City for a $11,500,702 grant that will result in 3,280 industry certifications and credentials. The grant will be used to establish the Advancing Science and Career Education in New Technologies (ASCENT) project which will develop and integrate education and training resources to produce industry-specific certifications for students and citizens of the Northwest Florida region.

The project focuses on education and training in new technologies, with an emphasis in cybersecurity, to support multiple industry sectors in the Northwest Florida region. A new Interdisciplinary Cybersecurity Hub will support local industry cyber and new technology training needs as well as partner with the region’s K-12 school districts to recruit, hire, and train teachers to teach technical fields.

Through the ASCENT project, FSU PC will provide ongoing professional development and support for teachers including engaging FSU students and faculty to assist teachers with classes and teacher workshops. ASECNT will also provide support to career academies and summer camps building a robust pipeline of interest in new technologies among the region’s youth.

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 Allan Bense, Chair Don Gaetz, Reynolds Henderson, Ben Lee, Collier Merrill and Matt Terry. All meetings of the Board are public.

Click here to read Reynolds Henderson’s appointment letter

Please take notice that on July 27, 2021, at its regular meeting, the Board of Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., will take up for consideration and intends to approve the following proposals for award of funding and for amendments to existing funding pursuant to s. 288.8017, Florida Statutes (2017):

Proposal #243:
Applicant: Okaloosa County School District #243
Funding Request: $2,840,000
Summary of Proposed Grant Award Agreement: Click here to view

Proposal #49:
Applicant: Panama City Port Authority
Additional Funding Request: $0
Amendments: Extend Performance Metric Deadlines to March 30, 2025
Summary of Proposed First Amendment to Grant Award Agreement: Click here to view

Proposal #229:
Applicant: Tallahassee Community College #229
Additional Funding Request: $0
Amendments: Extend Performance Metric Deadline to October 31, 2021
Summary of Proposed First Amendment to Grant Award Agreement: Click here to view

Proposal #120:
Applicant: City of Pensacola/Airport MRO #120
Additional Funding Request: $0
Amendments: Reconfiguration of Hangars to Be Constructed, addition of a Design/Build Contract for Hangars 2 and 3, and Changes to Funding Schedule
Summary of Proposed First Amendment to Grant Award Agreement: Click here to view

Proposal for Blanket Waiver of Requirement for Business Donations:
Applicants:
#029 Wakulla County School Board
#098 Walton County Sheriff
#143 Bay County District School
#148 Gulf County School District
#153 Gulf County School District
#157 Franklin County School Board
#180 Gulf County School District
#187 Northwest Florida State College – Walton Works
#198 Wakulla County School Board
#200 Franklin County School District
#202 Gulf Coast State College
#206 PCMI Properties, Inc. (formerly AMIkids Panama City Marine Institute)
#207 Gulf Coast State College
#210 Gulf Coast State College
#215 Wakulla School Board, Wakulla/Lively Tech
#216 Northwest Florida State College
#217 AMIkids Pensacola
#230 Walton County School District
Additional Funding Request: $0
Proposed Waiver: Waive Requirement to Obtain Business Donations
Summary of Proposed Blanket Waiver: Click here to view

Any person interested in being heard on these matters may attend and address the Board prior to a vote on approval of any award. Information regarding the time and place for the July 27, 2021, Board Meeting may be found by clicking here, under the Meeting Materials tab.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this notice or the award may be directed to: Cori Henderson, Program Administrator at [email protected]

PORT ST. JOE (WMBB) — Eastern Shipbuilding had its grand opening event for its new facility at Port St. Joe on Thursday. The facility is already operational, with about 125 employees, and around 200 people working on the vessels daily, President of Eastern Shipbuilding, Joey D’isernia said. 

Planning for the facilities opening began in 2012-13, before being delayed due to Hurricane Michael and the COVID-19 pandemic, D’isernia said. With over 100 jobs already created by the creation of the plant, there are expectations that the facility will improve the local economy.

Read full article at https://www.mypanhandle.com/news/local-news/eastern-shipbuilding-officially-opens-facility-in-gulf-county/