Four new grant award agreements were approved for Panhandle governmental organizations by the Triumph Gulf Coast Board this month.

The panel also advanced two grant award negotiations for projects and voted to initiate new term negotiations with three applicants who are seeking funding. The total value of all the projects would amount to more than $45 million in funding for the combination of Bay, Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties.

Bay County Commissioners requested up to $3.75 million in term sheet negotiations that was approved for what the county is calling “Project Clear.” That funding would go to improvements of the former Bay County incinerator building so it can be converted to a residential glass and glazing manufacturing facility. It’s expected the project would create at least 150 new jobs for the area and would exceed the county’s average paying job by 115%, according to a Triumph Board news release.

Another $8.075 million was approved by the board for funding Bay County School District workforce training expansion in Career and Technical Education (CTE) at five traditional high schools. That could result in 2,880 new industry certifications over a 10-year span.

Escambia County received approval from the panel for a grant award agreement of up to $6.72 million to create a National Center for Collaborative Autonomy (NCAA). That facility would be used to advance collaborative efforts between autonomous platforms and systems while developing human systems to guide and oversee safe operations.

“This project will be transformational for the region with additional non-Triumph funding resulting in over $18 million of direct personal income impact over the life of the project,” a  Triumph board news release said.

Another $2.48 million in grant award negotiations was approved by the board for the Santa Rosa County Board of Commissioners for the acquisition of 12.5 acres of industrial  property off Highway 90. That’s where two manufacturing facilities of 80,000 square feet and 150,000 square feet are set to be erected for what the county is calling “Project Turbo.” The buildings once erected and operational would employ some 60 new high-paying jobs.

Walton County’s   Defuniak Springs Airport received approval from the Triumph board for $4.229 million for support in improvements at the hub that’s expected to create 100 new jobs. Meanwhile the Seaside School Inc. got approval for a grant award agreement for $9.557 million for expansion of industry certification and duel enrollment programs at Seaside Collegiate High School.

And another $4.77 million was approved by the Triumph Board for negotiations for Florida’s Great Northwest request to market the region for updating an economic development strategy.

That panel oversees Triumph Gulf Coast Inc., a nonprofit group organized in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf in 2010. The nonprofit organization supervises the expenditure of some 75% of funds recovered by the state as a result of the disaster and administers the distribution of those funds in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Gulf, Franklin and Wakulla counties.

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The House has approved a proposed measure that would teach Florida public school students about disabilities as part of their lessons.

The proposed “Evin B. Hartsell Act” (HB 447) was unanimously approved on the floor of the House last week. It still needs to go to the Senate floor for a full vote in that chamber, but several Senate committees have already given preliminary approval.

Under the proposal students would receive specific instruction on several topics relating to disabilities through the course of each grade. District school boards would be authorized to consult with the Evin B. Hartsell Foundation to help with the development of the curriculum.

The House measure was sponsored by Rep. Michelle Salzman, an Escambia County Republican, who said the measure, also known as the “Disability History and Awareness Instruction” bill, is about providing a sense of decency in schools for students who deal with disabilities.

“Every child deserves respect, regardless of ability,” Salzman said in a news release. “This law confronts discrimination head-on, fosters empathy, and ensures people with disabilities are seen and valued. It’s a bold step to end bullying and empower our kids to embrace differences.”

There would be different levels of education on different areas of disabilities beginning with Kindergarten to third graders, fourth to sixth graders, seventh to ninth graders and 10th to 12th graders.

Melisa Hartsell, Evin’s mother and President of the Evin B. Hartsell Foundation, said the measure is about easing assimilation of children with disabilities into schools.

“Mainstreaming Evin into regular classrooms was a hard-fought battle, but it taught his peers to value his strengths and similarities over differences. I appreciate Rep. Salzman and the House’s efforts to promote compassionate, inclusive futures so every child feels valued for who they are.” Melisa Hartsell said.

The Senate bill (SB 540) was filed by Tampa Republican Sen. Jay Collins. If passed, the bill would mandate a specific two-week period each year during which students would receive intensive instruction to expand their knowledge, understanding, and awareness of individuals with disabilities, the history of disability, and the disability rights movement.\

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Florida Politics reporter Andrew Powell contributed to this story.,

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