Florida awards $1.5M grant to expand logistics park's rail access

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis yesterday awarded $1.5 million to the city of Winter Haven to extend rail access within the Central Florida Integrated Logistics Park.

The rail extension will help businesses expand operations in the area, creating 200 jobs, state officials said in a press release issued by DeSantis' office. The grant was issued through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. The park has 930 acres of developable land that can accommodate over 8 million square feet of development and is close to major thoroughfares and a dedicated CSX intermodal facility.

“This strategic transportation investment, combined with our ongoing Moving Florida Forward initiative, will eliminate supply chain bottlenecks and boost shipping capacity along the Interstate 4 corridor, supporting businesses and strengthening our economy," said DeSantis.

The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund is an economic development program designed to promote public infrastructure and workforce training across the state.