BUNNELL, Fla. – Leaders from the Florida legislature, Flagler County and the Florida State Guard broke ground Monday on what will become the guard’s new training facility near Bunnell.
The $10 million project was approved by the state legislature last year.
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The Florida State Guard’s new training complex will sit on 62 acres of land that used to house a portion of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
The Guard’s 30-year lease will be rent free, according to an agreement signed with Flagler County.
In exchange, first responders from Flager and St. Johns Counties will be permitted to use the training complex, as well.
“When this facility is done, it will provide state-of-the-art training designed for today’s and tomorrow’s first responders and soldiers,” said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly at Monday’s ceremony. “It will give them the best training they need to serve our communities for decades to come.”
The Florida State Guard was retired after World War II, but Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., brought it back in 2023 after Hurricanes Ian and Nicole flooded major parts of the state, including Central Florida.
He said the National Guard did not have enough troops to help.
News 6 investigated and found the national guard’s own records show they have capped the number of Florida National Guard troops at 12,000 since 1958, which resulted in Florida ranking 53 out of 54 states and territories when it comes to the number of troops per capita.
Since its re-instatement, the Florida State Guard has been deployed to assist after several hurricanes, including Hurricane Milton last month.
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