Wakulla County wins state funds for ladder truck, wastewater dewatering and emergency operations center; manufacturing campus to bring 300 jobs

WAKULLA COUNTY, Fla. — County representatives told the Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 4 that Wakulla County secured several state appropriations from the 2025 legislative session, including funds for a new aerial ladder fire truck, upgrades at the Otter Creek wastewater treatment plant, and equipment and furnishings for the county’s new emergency operations center. Commissioners were also briefed on a public–private manufacturing project planned for Opportunity Park that officials said would bring about 300 jobs.

Michelle Metcalfe, presenting a post‑session summary, said the county was granted three of five appropriation requests it submitted to the state. She told commissioners Wakulla County was awarded $1,050,000 through the Florida Division of State Fire Marshal toward an aerial ladder truck and $1,000,000 from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for improvements to the dewatering process at the Otter Creek Wastewater Treatment…