(1) The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund is created within the department to promote economic opportunity by improving public infrastructure and enhancing workforce training. The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund may not be used for the exclusive benefit of any single company, corporation, or business entity.

(2) The department and Enterprise Florida, Inc., may identify projects, solicit proposals, and make funding recommendations to the Governor, who is authorized to approve:

(a) State or local public infrastructure projects to promote economic recovery in specific regions of the state, economic diversification, or economic enhancement in a targeted industry.

(b) Infrastructure funding to accelerate the rehabilitation of the Herbert Hoover Dike. The department or the South Florida Water Management District may enter into agreements, as necessary, with the United States Army Corps of Engineers to implement this paragraph.

(c) Workforce training grants to support programs at state colleges and state technical centers that provide participants with transferable, sustainable workforce skills applicable to more than a single employer, and for equipment associated with these programs. The department shall work with CareerSource Florida to ensure programs are offered to the public based on criteria established by the state college or state technical center and do not exclude applicants who are unemployed or underemployed.

(3) For purposes of this section:

(a) “Infrastructure” means any fixed capital expenditure or fixed capital costs associated with the construction, reconstruction, or improvement of facilities that have a life expectancy of 5 or more years and any land acquisition, land improvement, design, and engineering costs related thereto. Facilities in this category include technical structures such as roads, bridges, tunnels, water supply, sewers, electrical grids, and telecommunications facilities.

(b) “Public infrastructure” means infrastructure that is owned by the public, and is for public use or predominately benefits the public. If public infrastructure is leased or sold, it must be leased or sold at fair market rates or value.

(c) “Targeted industry” means any industry identified in the most recent list provided to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives in accordance with s. 288.106(2)(q).

(4) The department shall administer contracts for projects approved by the Governor and funded pursuant to this section.

History.—s. 15, ch. 2017-233; s. 27, ch. 2018-110.