The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, established by Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature (FSS 288.101), provides $85 million for improving public infrastructure and enhancing workforce training in Florida. The Legislature finds that retaining and expanding existing businesses in the state, encouraging the creation of new businesses in the state, attracting new businesses from outside the state, and generally providing conditions favorable for the growth of target industries creates high-quality and high-wage employment opportunities for residents of the state, and strengthens the state's economic foundation. Since December 2010, Florida has created over 1.5 million private sector jobs, and the state's unemployment rate continues to decrease. The Fund's goal is to make Florida a global destination for businesses and job creation by providing funding to enhance infrastructure and the workforce across the state.
On October 6, 2015, the Town Council approved Resolution No. 15-1330 directing the Town Manager to pursue grants for planning services and for the design/construction of infrastructure consistent with key identified strategies, and to recommend budget provisions necessary to implement these strategies. Two of the identified strategies were to “Extend NW 59th Avenue south to Miami Lakes Drive” and “Pursue land use strategies to create walkable, mixed-use areas in three strategic locations along Miami Lakes Drive, including the area bound by Miami Lakeway, Miami Lakes Drive, existing and theoretical NW 153rd Street and NW 57th Avenue.” In May 2018, the Town successfully submitted a proposal to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) County Incentive Grant Program (CIGP) to assist in funding the NW 59th Avenue Roadway Extension and Redevelopment Project for the necessary bridge connection and roadway improvements, linking approximately 400 businesses and over 6,580 employees in this industrious area. The Miami Lakes Business Park East Infrastructure and Economic Development Project will complement the NW 59th Avenue initiative and include the design and construction of Complete Streets infrastructure from Miami Lakeway North eastbound on NW 153rd/151st Street to NW 57th Court, providing vehicular and non-vehicular mobility options for motorists, bicyclists, employers, employees, and consumers to access the eastside commercial and industrious district in the Town of Miami Lakes.
A solicitation is available from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund for Public Infrastructure projects that promote economic recovery in specific regions of the state, economic diversification, or economic enhancement in a Qualified Florida Targeted Industry categorized as:
- Cleantech
- Life Sciences
- Infotech
- Aviation/Aerospace
- Homeland Security/Defense
- Financial/Professional Services
- Emerging Technologies
- Other Manufacturing
Public Infrastructure projects can include transportation and utilities needed to support economic development; connect to a broader economic development vision for the community; and benefit additional, current, or future businesses. Eligible Public Infrastructure projects must provide an economic impact on the community, region, or state; be owned by the public and for public use or predominately benefit the public; and provide quantitative evidence of how the proposed project will promote specific job growth. The Miami Lakes Business Park East Infrastructure and Economic Development Project is an eligible project under this Fund. The Project is included in the Transportation Summit Community Forum Adopted Strategies, Town of Miami Lakes Adopted Complete Streets Plan, Adopted Strategic Plan, and Adopted 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan. The Project estimated cost is $5.3 million. The Statute does not require a project to have matching funds.
This Project will benefit the Town, neighboring jurisdictions, Miami-Dade County, the State of Florida, and regional industries by providing essential infrastructure which brings economic diversification vital to long-term economic growth; economic enhancement in a Qualified Florida Targeted Industry; access to free public transportation, educational opportunities, jobs, businesses, and commerce located in this business district; linkage to the NW 59th Avenue Roadway Extension (Bridge) and Redevelopment Project currently proposed; and facilitation of pedestrian and vehicular traffic flow in one of the most populous and industrious areas of the Town.
The DEO and EFI may identify projects, solicit proposals, and make funding recommendations to the Governor, who is authorized to approve projects for funding based on local and regional needs. Once approved by the Governor, each entity will enter into a contract with DEO, where a funding timeline will be established. Proposals will be considered until all the funding is committed.