Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, CareerSource Florida announced $2 million in awards to local workforce development boards within the CareerSource Florida network to enhance services in Florida’s rural counties. The Get There Faster: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Governor’s Reserve Funds, approved by the CareerSource Florida Board of Directors in June, have been awarded to 11 local workforce development boards serving rural communities across the state, from Walton County east to Nassau County and Hamilton County south to Hendry County, as well as several counties in between.
“As the Governor’s principal workforce policy board, the CareerSource Florida Board of Directors is committed to achieving Governor DeSantis’ goal for Florida to be the No. 1 state in the nation for workforce education,” said Board Chair Stephanie Smith. “This additional investment in workforce development for Florida’s rural counties comes at just the right time as we work collaboratively with our education partners toward an inclusive, equitable economic recovery.”
The $2 million for rural workforce initiatives will expand access to job seeker services and collaboration between local workforce development boards and state and/or technical colleges, with a focus on programs serving veterans and military families as well as Floridians with barriers to employment.
“This additional $2 million in grant awards will provide career help to thousands of Floridians through satellite offices and staffing in rural counties as well as community outreach to faith-based organizations, youth programs, Chambers of Commerce and other partners,” said CareerSource Florida President and CEO Michelle Dennard. “We’re grateful to Governor DeSantis for his leadership in prioritizing workforce education and training access as well as infrastructure improvements to help our rural communities prosper.”
“With so many Floridians returning to the workforce, these grant funds support Governor DeSantis’ priority of helping Floridians in rural communities find meaningful employment and economic prosperity,” said Secretary Dane Eagle of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, a member of the CareerSource Florida Board. “We are grateful for our partnership with the CareerSource Florida network as we collaborate to strengthen our state’s workforce and help those in all parts of the state connect with great jobs.”
The local workforce development boards receiving additional funds to assist rural communities, and the counties they serve, are:
- CareerSource Okaloosa Walton: Okaloosa, Walton
- CareerSource Chipola: Calhoun, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Washington
- CareerSource Gulf Coast: Bay, Gulf, Franklin
- CareerSource Capital Region: Gadsden, Leon, Wakulla
- CareerSource North Florida: Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor
- CareerSource Florida Crown: Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Union
- CareerSource Northeast Florida : Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns
- CareerSource North Central Florida : Alachua, Bradford
- CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion: Citrus, Levy, Marion
- CareerSource Flagler Volusia : Flagler, Volusia
- CareerSource Southwest Florida: Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee
To find your nearest career center, please visit careersourceflorida.com/career-services.
###
ABOUT CAREERSOURCE FLORIDA
CareerSource Florida, with its business-led board of directors, provides policy direction for talent development programs administered by the Department of Economic Opportunity, Florida’s 24 local workforce development boards and their 100 career centers. The CareerSource Florida State Board serves as the Governor’s principal workforce policy and investment board, working in partnership with DEO, which is responsible for the state workforce system’s fiscal and administrative affairs, and local workforce development boards that serve Florida’s businesses and career seekers. Together, the CareerSource Florida network connects employers with qualified, skilled talent and Floridians with employment and career development opportunities to achieve economic prosperity. Learn more at careersourceflorida.com.