The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) recently announced a $364,000 grant to the City of Fellsmere to build critical roadway infrastructure intended to strengthen and enhance the region’s growing aquaculture cluster.
The infrastructure investment is expected to create 42 jobs and generate $10.4 million in private investment.
“The Obama administration is committed to strengthening the critical infrastructure that is vital to the economic health of local communities,” said U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Matt Erskine. “The EDA grant announced today will help ensure the continued economic viability of Florida’s job-creating aquaculture cluster.”
According to Fellsmere City Manager Jason Nunemaker, the EDA grant was secured with the assistance of the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council.
Nunemaker said the EDA grant is being leveraged with a state grant through Enterprise Florida and the Florida Department of Transportation. The combined grants will fully fund an $800,000 roadway connecting Florida Organic Aquaculture’s new facilities west of Fellsmere to County Road 512.
“With everything coming together, we have the potential to create a commerce park there,” Nunemaker said.
By “everything coming together,” Nunemaker was referring to Florida Organic Aquaculture’s new facility, a new roadway connecting the site to County Road 512 and the extension of natural gas service three miles west from downtown Fellsmere.
Nunemaker said he hopes and expects to attract other businesses to what could become “an aquaculture cluster.”
The cluster includes a commercial-scale, state-of-the-art aquaculture program in Fellsmere and an adjoining facility that will house a research and development consortium, which includes the Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Institute, the Florida Institute of Technology, and Texas Tech University.
Nunemaker said that with all the approvals hopefully in place by early September, the new gas line could be operational sometime in October.
Indian River Guardian 
This is exciting new technology with much promise for the development of an extensive industry in Fellsmere. They are developing the infrastructure and technical support for full blown, state of the art aquaculture farming. All the technology and ingredients apper to be there.
Nice job Jason! I’m sure you had lots to do with its development and location in Fellsmere.
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