$2.45M in defense grants awarded

Defense grants totaling $2.45 million will be awarded to 14 Florida communities with military installations. Escambia County is getting $250,000, Santa Rosa County $280,000, Okaloosa $300,000, Walton County $60,000 and Bay County $100,000. Part of the money is earmarked to buy land around the bases to prevent encroachment, and part for community relations and economic development. The military and defense industry is responsible for $73.4 billion, or 9.4 percent, of Florida's gross state product, according to state officials. (Source: WEAR, WJHG, Pensacola News Journal, Office of the Governor, 01/24/14)