DeSantis Delivers Big Check During Umatilla Visit

    It was a historic moment on Tuesday, when Florida Governor Ron DeSantis came to Umatilla in what is believed to be the first visit by a sitting Florida governor in over 50 years. DeSantis held a press conference at the Cadwell Park community building to award the city a $4.8 million grant through the Governor's Job Growth Grant Fund. The money will be used to fund the development of the city's planned industrial park at its former wastewater plant in the southwest corner of town.
   "We look to areas where there are lots of potential," DeSantis of the process of looking for projects that need a springboard to increased economic activity. While also in Umatilla, DeSantis announced a $5.5 million award for a project in Plant City.
   “We will be awarding 4.8 million from the Governor’s Job Growth Grant Fund to the City of Umatilla for infrastructure improvements at the Lake Ferns Industrial Park,” the Governor said when formally announcing the award.
   The city is planning to develop the estimated 40-acre site and had applied through the Florida Rural Infrastructure Grant, which awarded the city nearly $500,000. The state recommended the city apply to the Governor's Job Growth Fund, paving the way for the award. The funds are expected to pay to build all the necessary infrastructure for the park, with no match from the city.
   "We think it could lead to an estimated 300 high-wage jobs," the Governor said of the project.
   “We look to areas where there is a lot of potential,” DeSantis said of the Umatilla award. “We believe in making things in the state of Florida. Don’t want everything made in China.”
   “Manufacturing in Florida is one of the highest paid fields in the state of Florida…so this is really important.”
   DeSantis spoke extensively at the event on the importance of workforce education for the future of Florida, citing both middle and high school program options that are designed to teach job skills for future adults who may not be college-bound. He made it clear that such programs lead to a skilled labor force and that projects like the one in Umatilla will be able to provide places to work.
   Umatilla Mayor Chris Creech spoke on behalf of the city and thanked the Governor both for the award and for being willing to come to Umatilla to make the presentation.
   "I would like to thank Governor DeSantis for his service to our nation, the great state of Florida, and the city of Umatilla. "This grant award will establish the necessary tangible infrastructure to create sustainable high-wage jobs inside the City of Umatilla. The opportunities in our new industrial park will include many trades such as contractors, plumbers, electricians, fabricators, manufacturing, and the list goes on."
   Creech noted Umatilla’s changing economic landscape, as the population grows and the county transitions away from its agricultural roots.
   “With our city population set to increase by 30% in the next five years, we strongly felt the need to diversify and attract enterprise to our community. By the blessing of this grant, we will be able to provide the foundation for job creation inside the city in a meaningful way that will touch thousands of livelihoods and households.”
   Area state representative Keith Truenow also spoke.
   “Being here with the Governor is an honor, and I’m grateful to this community for allowing me to serve. A little over $4 million… it means a lot to the city. It will go a long way towards the necessary infrastructure to develop the industrial park.”
   “I want to thank Governor DeSantis for his leadership and commitment to helping our citizens achieve their vision of the American Dream.”
   “Umatilla is doing great things,” Truenow said.
   The event also included the presentation of a Medal of Merit to Mel Jenner, a central Florida resident who served during WWII and was part of the D-Day invasion.