Charlotte County Public Schools was awarded $1.4 million through the Florida Department of Education’s Workforce Capitalization Incentive Grant Program. School district officials said the funding will support the creation of advanced manufacturing programs at Charlotte Technical College and Port Charlotte High School, providing students access to high-demand, high-wage career paths in advanced manufacturing and production technology. The grant is part of a statewide initiative to enhance workforce development, aligning with Gov. Ron DeSantis’ agenda to make Florida the top state for workforce education by 2030. The $62 million in funding awarded across the state will give students hands-on learning experiences in critical industries, including aerospace, biomedical science and advanced manufacturing.