Governor Ron DeSantis has announced the allocation of $18 million in funding to enhance Florida’s supply chain. This investment is part of a broader plan to inject $100 million over five years into the state’s infrastructure, specifically focusing on increasing aggregate storage for critical projects and boosting asphalt and concrete production. The initial grants will support the creation of an additional 1.2 million tons of aggregate materials storage and improve rail access to existing facilities, aligning with the Moving Florida Forward Initiative.
In conjunction with this announcement, Governor DeSantis also marked the beginning of construction on the I-75 interchange at Fruitville Road. The project aims to replace the current cloverleaf design with a diverging diamond configuration, which is expected to improve safety, logistics, and mobility in the region.
“A strong supply chain is key to Florida’s economic strength. We can’t rely on Washington—we need Florida-based solutions,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “These grants will help our state boost capacity and ensure vital materials reach projects on time.”
Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue emphasized the importance of these investments: “Many Floridians don’t spend a lot of time thinking about construction materials until a disruption in our ability to supply those materials impacts their community,” he said. He further noted that with support from Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature, essential construction materials will be more accessible for infrastructure projects.
The FDOT has identified priority areas for investment to strengthen supply chain links and increase storage capacity for aggregate material needed for critical projects statewide. These priorities were determined based on factors such as overall project cost, proximity to aggregate needs across the state, and speed to completion.
