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School board accepts $7.5 million Resilient SRQ grant to expand North Port Suncoast Technical College campus
Summary
The Sarasota County School Board voted 5‑0 to accept a $7.5 million Resilient SRQ award from Sarasota County to build lab space and expand Suncoast Technical College’s North Port campus for career and technical education.
The Sarasota County School Board on June 10 unanimously approved acceptance of a $7.5 million award from the Sarasota County government Resilient SRQ grant program to expand the North Port campus of Suncoast Technical College.
Superintendent Conner told the board the award was made through the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery fund, which the county allocated to support expansion of lab and shop space for trades programs at the North Port site to help meet local demand for skilled workers. “Back in September, the county government awarded the school district… $7,500,000 to contribute to the expansion of our Northport campus of Suncoast Technical College,” Conner said.
Board member Mr. Edwards moved to accept the award and execute the subrecipient agreement; the motion was seconded by Ms. Marinelli and carried on a voice vote, 5–0. Edwards described the project as “a long coming” community effort that began about four years earlier with a $1 million contribution from the hospital and additional local support. “The hospital put up the million dollars,” Edwards said, and he credited county commissioners and local partners for advancing the project.
Superintendent Conner said the district has secured the award and committed capital funding and is pursuing additional state appropriations to complete the project. “We have all of the funding secured… we’re continuing to request some money from the state,” Conner said, and said an appropriations request is active.
Why it matters: The project is aimed at expanding hands‑on lab space for vocational and technical programs at a time the district and local employers report shortages of skilled workers in construction, health care and similar trades. Board members framed the grant as a community partnership intended to boost South County’s workforce pipeline and local economy.
Meeting action: Motion to accept the $7,500,000 award and execute the subrecipient agreement (Resilient SRQ grant) — motion by Mr. Edwards, second by Ms. Marinelli; vote 5–0 in favor. The board recorded no amendments during the June 10 meeting.
Next steps: Superintendent Conner and staff will execute the subrecipient agreement and continue pursuing additional funds and state appropriations; the board noted capital plan alignment and future project implementation work.
