BUNNELL, FL – On Monday, December 18, 2023, the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners voted to partner with the Florida State Guard to build a Training Complex and Multi-Agency Regional Training Facility in Flagler County.
For the last 3 years, Sheriff Rick Staly worked with Florida Speaker of the House Paul Renner, Governor Ron DeSantis’ Office, and the Florida State Guard to secure funding and locate the joint regional training center in Flagler County. The training facility is to be built on county-owned property on Justice Lane near the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and Jail Administration Building. The 10-million-dollar funding allocation was approved by Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature in July 2023.
The training complex will include offices and classroom space, a tactical firearms range, a tactical training house, a reinforced parking area that can also be used for driver training, and more – all of which will be open to be used by the Florida State Guard, the Sheriff’s Office, and other first responder agencies in the region.
“The Florida State Guard Regional Training Facility is a game changer for our military and law enforcement community,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “With state-of-the-art technology and equipment, the Florida State Guard and local law enforcement will receive the highest level of training possible, allowing them to better serve and protect our communities. It will also create synergy between the Florida State Guard and local law enforcement and fire departments for times when we deploy together, such as hurricanes. Thank you to Speaker Paul Renner, Governor DeSantis, Florida State Guard Director Mark Thieme, and all of the legislators who made this training facility a reality!”
“The State Guard training facility is a significant 10 million dollar investment in Flagler County. Additionally, the facility will be an economic driver for Flagler County as, over time, we will host hundreds of guardsmen during their training exercises at the facility.”