Governor Ron DeSantis on Thursday announced an investment of $8.6 million toward career and workforce training opportunities for military veterans and their spouses.

As part of the ‘Get There Faster: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act,’ grants have been awarded to workforce development boards across the state to expand career and workforce training opportunities for military veterans and spouses seeking employment.

“We owe the freedoms we enjoy as Americans to our military veterans, and I am focused on ensuring Florida is the best state in the nation for those who have served to find great jobs, start or grow businesses and support their families,” said DeSantis. “Business is booming in Florida, and employers are looking for the leadership skills, training, and teamwork military veterans bring to the workforce.”

In June, the CareerSource Florida Board of Directors approved the funding for the grants to reach and assist a greater number of military veterans and spouses of active-duty military and veterans with employment challenges such as homelessness or service-related disabilities.

“CareerSource Florida is honored to serve those who have served our country,” said CareerSource Florida Board Chair Stephanie Smith. “On behalf of our board, we applaud Governor DeSantis for prioritizing funding to ensure our military veterans and their families have the resources needed to begin or continue great careers here in Florida.”

The grants include a twelve county partnership across northern Florida and the panhandle to connect veterans and spouses with career opportunities, expanded job training for disabled veterans, and a partnership with CareerSource Broward to further engage homeless veterans in training and credentialing programs.

“With more than 1.5 million veterans and active-duty military members residing in Florida, our military community plays a vital role to the overall success of Florida’s economy,” said Department of Economic Opportunity Secretary Dane Eagle.

In addition to the grants announced today, the annual statewide Paychecks for Patriots program partners the state Department of Economic Opportunity, the CareerSource Florida network, and participating Florida employers to hold job fairs for veterans and their families.