Governor Ron DeSantis announced over $38 million in Florida Small Cities CDBG funding for 19 small and rural communities. The grants will support infrastructure upgrades, neighborhood revitalization, housing rehabilitation, and commercial development, benefiting thousands of residents and strengthening local economies across the state.
Busy Bee will open a 55,000-square-foot travel center in Bonifay, Florida, by 2026, creating around 100 jobs and generating millions in local sales and property tax revenue. The project, located at Highway 79 and I-10, includes plans for additional commercial development and a donated site for a new fire station, boosting both the economy and public services in Holmes County.
Point Blank Enterprises, the nation’s largest body armor manufacturer, is opening a 100,000-square-foot facility at Opportunity Park in Wakulla County by the end of 2025. The project will create 300 direct jobs and 213 support jobs, adding $36 million in annual payroll and $3.5 million in tax revenue. Local and state leaders secured more than $8 million in funding and developed workforce training programs to bring the company to North Florida, marking a major economic win for the region.
DeFuniak Springs has officially opened its new $8.4 million municipal airport terminal, funded through state, federal, and local grants. The project marks a key step in the city’s long-term expansion plans, which include runway improvements, new hangars, and added infrastructure. Officials anticipate the upgrades will create nearly 500 jobs over the next decade and provide a major economic boost to the region.