Important News

Franklin County Hurricane Relief Response Letter

Panama City, FL – The Triumph Gulf Coast board of directors voted on Monday on guidelines for the Hurricane Michael Major Disaster Recovery Program (the Program.) Through their respective County Commissions, the Michael impacted counties may apply to Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., for an award of funds to address the projected loss of ad valorem property tax asset value through an expedited application process.

Hurricane-related expenses incurred by local governments within Bay, Gulf, Franklin and Wakulla Counties from Hurricane Michael are immense. The increase in expenses, combined with the anticipated drop in the taxable value of assessed assets further constraints the ability of these counties to move forward with post-oil spill recovery efforts.

By statute, Triumph Gulf Coast is authorized to “make awards from available funds to projects and priorities that meet the priorities from economic recovery, diversification and enhancement of disproportionately affected counties.” Triumph Gulf Coast recognizes that the impacted counties’ ability to maintain or reduce ad valorem tax rates is a priority for economic recovery, diversification and enhancement of the disproportionately affected counties.

Franklin

In Franklin County, The Triumph Board granted final approval to a proposal from the Florida State University Coastal & Marine Laboratory (FSUCML) in St. Teresa for $7,998,678. The overarching objective of Apalachicola Bay System Initiative (ABSI) is to provide information and tools that will facilitate the recovery of the Apalachicola Bay ecosystem and reestablish a vibrant water based industry and working water front critical to the economy of Franklin County.

ABSI will partner with Franklin County community members as well as government, academic and non-governmental organization (NGO) stakeholders. The FSU College of Business and Jim Moran Institute will provide entrepreneurship outreach and support.

Research will be done to gain insight into the extent of deterioration of the reef system and the underlying causes of the observed decline resulting in a plan of action for recovery of the oyster reefs and the health of the Bay. The ABSI effort proposes to leverage substantial external funding in support of the research and plan implementation. Recovery of oyster reefs will translate into positive economic outcomes for those whose livelihoods depend on a healthy Bay.

Walton

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office proposal to the Triumph Board for $2,217,965.00 of Triumph funding to expand pre- and post-release technical education and certification training programs in partnership with Emerald Coast Technical College (ECTC), a part of the Walton County School District was unanimously approved.

The funds will be used to pave a driving pad for CDL training and certification, expanded welding certifications and computer technology certification. The program will also allow Sheriff Department employees to take classes and earn certifications in computer technology. Triumph’s participation is just under 50% of the $4,451,565.00 project.

This program is expected to reduce the challenges of those released from jail in successfully re-enter the mainstream economy, gaining employment and decreasing recidivism. The results of this program will be studied by Florida State University.

Triumph Gulf Coast’s board of directors is appointed by the Governor, Chief Financial Officer, Attorney General and presiding officers of the Legislature. The appointees to the Triumph Board are Allan Bense, Dr. Pam Dana, Chair Don Gaetz, Ben Lee, and Stephen Riggs, IV and Jason Shoaf. All meetings of the board are public.

Please take notice that on February 25, 2019, at its regular meeting, the Board of Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., will take up for consideration and intends to approve the following proposals for award of funding pursuant to s. 288.8017, Florida Statutes (2017):

Proposal #69:
Applicant: FSU – Apalachicola Bay System Initiative
Funding Request: $7,998,678
Summary of Proposed Grant Award Agreement

Proposal #98:
Applicant: Walton County Sheriff’s Office
Funding Request: $2,217,965
Summary of Proposed Grant Award Agreement

Any person interested in being heard on these matters may attend and address the Board prior to a vote on approval of any award. Information regarding the time and place for the February 25, 2019 Board Meeting may be found by clicking here.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this notice or the award may be directed to: Cori Henderson, Program Administrator at [email protected]

Panama City, FL – The Triumph Gulf Coast board of directors voted on Friday to establish the Hurricane Michael Major Disaster Recovery Program (the Program.) Hurricane Michael is the most intense storm on record to hit the Florida Panhandle, and is among the top four most powerful hurricanes ever to hit the United States. The Program sets aside $15M to address loss of ad valorem property taxes or an identified priority for economic recovery, diversification, and enhancement in Bay, Gulf, Franklin and Wakulla counties which were declared major disaster areas after Hurricane Michael.

Hurricane-related expenses incurred by local governments within Bay, Gulf, Franklin and Wakulla Counties from Hurricane Michael are immense. The increase in expenses, combined with the anticipated drop in the taxable value of assessed assets further constraints the ability of these counties to move forward with post-oil spill recovery efforts.

By statute, Triumph Gulf Coast is authorized to “make awards from available funds to projects and priorities that meet the priorities from economic recovery, diversification and enhancement of disproportionately affected counties.” Triumph Gulf Coast recognizes that the impacted counties’ ability to maintain or reduce ad valorem tax rates is a priority for economic recovery, diversification and enhancement of the disproportionately affected counties.

Through their respective County Commissions, the Michael impacted counties may apply to Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., for an award of funds to address the projected loss of ad valorem property tax asset value or otherwise identify a recovery expenditure which meets the statutory and/or board established priorities for economic recovery, diversification, and enhancement of the said Counties.

In other business, the Triumph Board also agreed to grant the City of Pensacola an additional $10M toward the expansion of the Pensacola Airport MRO Aviation Campus. This transformative investment will enhance Northwest Florida’s position as a leader in the aviation and aerospace industry.

Triumph Gulf Coast’s transformational $66M grant to the City of Pensacola in Escambia County follows the opening of the first new MRO hangar at the Pensacola International Airport. At full buildout the MRO Aviation Campus’s four MRO hangers, administrative building, warehouse and shop space will have the capacity to house over 1,725 new jobs and cost $334,825,000.00.

Current project funding partners include the City of Pensacola, Escambia County, the State of Florida/Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, VT Mobile Aerospace Engineering, and the Industry Recruitment, Retention and Expansion Fund. Local economic development agencies, educational institutions, and tenant companies will work together to implement training programs to create a sustainable workforce. Job functions at the MRO Campus are expected to include Master Airplane Technicians, Aircraft Inspectors, Master Structures Technicians, Sheet Metal Mechanics, and Avionics Technicians.

Triumph Gulf Coast’s board of directors is appointed by the Governor, Chief Financial Officer, Attorney General and presiding officers of the Legislature. The appointees to the Triumph Board are Allan Bense, Stan Connally, Jr, Dr. Pam Dana, Chair Don Gaetz, Ben Lee, and Stephen Riggs, IV and Jason Shoaf. All meetings of the board are public.

January 17, 2019

The Honorable Jimmy Patronis
Chief Financial Officer
Plaza Level, The Capitol
Tallahassee, Florida 32399

Thank you very much for your letter of January 11 and for your commitment to helping the Panhandle communities so disastrously affected by Hurricane Michael. It is a commitment shared by the Triumph Gulf Coast board of directors.

As you know, consistent with the law, each of the eight counties in the Triumph Gulf Coast region has set priorities for economic diversification and development projects to be funded with Triumph awards. Since June 21, 2017, when Triumph received the first payment from the settlement agreement with BP for Deepwater Horizon related damages through the Legislature, we have worked closely with local governments to evaluate and begin awarding grants for the projects they have endorsed. Immediately following Hurricane Michael, we contacted each of the counties affected by the storm to invite them to change their priorities or substitute other projects because of the impact of the hurricane. Attached is a copy of our letter to that effect. We followed up our letter with personal contact with officials of each county.

Thus far, each hurricane-affected county has asked Triumph Gulf Coast to proceed to fund the priorities set by these counties prior to the storm. County officials and the members of the Triumph Gulf Coast Board understand that the sustained jobs created by Triumph-funded projects will be even more important in a post-hurricane economy struggling to recover. We have, however, received some indication that one or two counties may approach Triumph for assistance in making up reduced ad valorem property tax revenues. In that regard, Gulf County Property Appraiser Mitch Burke made an extensive presentation to the Triumph board on January 14, 2019.

Your suggestion that Triumph Gulf Coast make secured loans to local governments is constructive and we welcome it. Our Executive Director, Ms. Susan Skelton, has already had a conversation with Mr. Ben Watkins, Director of Bond Finance for the State Board of  Administration about this potential. One of our board members, Mr. Ben Lee, is a regional banker doing business in the communities devastated by the storm. Mr. Lee has agreed to be the point of contact for the Triumph Gulf Coast board on this matter and will be speaking with Mr. Watkins about how private sector financial institutions are responding to the need for loans, what role Triumph and state government might play and how that role might be structured. Your letter and Mr. Lee’s report will be on the agenda for the next Triumph Gulf Coast board meeting scheduled for the last week in February.

As a fellow Northwest Floridian, you understand in very personal ways how critical it is that our region regain its economic footing. We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with you and with local officials to help build and rebuild a stronger, more diversified economy. Thank you for your leadership and for your passionate concern for the people and communities affected by both the oil spill and the storm.

I’ve enclosed a copy of the Triumph Gulf Coast December 2018 semi-annual report to the Governor and Legislature so that you will have a complete picture of our work thus far. Please feel free to contact me directly if I can answer any questions or be of any assistance to you.

With warm best wishes,
Respectfully,
Don Gaetz Chairman

Chair Gaetz response letter to CFO Patronis
Triumph Gulf Coast December 2018 semi-annual report
Letter to Bay County Commission Chair