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Commissioners back joint letter to support Escambia County in Coast Guard training‑site RFI

Escambia County Board of County Commissioners · December 12, 2025

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Summary

After a video and a presentation, the board unanimously authorized a joint letter to DHS/Coast Guard backing Escambia County's submission to a request for information (RFI) for a new Coast Guard training and workforce support facility.

Commissioner Kohler asked the board to allow staff to prepare and send a joint letter supporting Escambia County as a potential site for a new U.S. Coast Guard training and workforce support facility. The request followed outreach by federal and congressional staff and after the board watched an RFI video explaining the service's plans to expand training capacity.

Kohler described contacting the base commanding officer and congressional staff and urged an "all hands on deck" approach. "This, if we can be selected for this site, is a transformational change to Escambia County," he said, and asked the board if it would sign a jointly prepared letter to Department of Homeland Security and the Coast Guard.

The motion to have county legal staff prepare the letter and authorize the senders passed unanimously (5-0). The county attorney will coordinate signatories and work with the county administrator's office to finalize the letter.

Why it matters The Coast Guard RFI seeks locations for expanded training capacity as the service plans personnel growth and facility modernization. County officials said being identified as a candidate could lead to increased training activity at local installations and potential economic and workforce impacts for the county.

Next steps Staff will draft the letter, coordinate signatures from the five commissioners, and pursue site visits and integration-team opportunities if Escambia County is selected for further consideration.