Nearly $3 Million State Investment Strengthens Saint Leo Community

ST. LEO, Fla. – A nearly $3 million investment from the state of Florida will strengthen the small Pasco County community of Saint Leo by expanding workforce education programs at Saint Leo University and supporting infrastructure improvements in the Town of St. Leo.

The funding, included in Florida’s fiscal year 2026-27 budget signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, provides $1.2 million for Saint Leo University’s Nursing Program Expansion project, $602,000 for its Cybersecurity and Cyberforensics Training and Education Center, and $995,000 for stormwater infrastructure improvements supporting the Town of St. Leo’s proposed town center.

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"Our Benedictine mission has always been rooted in service," said Dr. Jim Burkee, president of Saint Leo University. "We are grateful to Gov. Ron DeSantis, Sen. Danny Burgess, Rep. Randy Maggard, and the Florida Legislature for supporting that mission and investing in a future workforce dedicated to serving others. This funding will prepare the next generation of nurses, cybersecurity professionals, and other in-demand workers, strengthen Florida's workforce pipeline, and expand opportunities that directly meet the needs of students, employers, and the community we proudly call home."

The $1.2 million Nursing Program Expansion project at Saint Leo University supports a statewide priority by helping address Florida's projected shortage of 60,000 nurses by 2035. The university’s nursing program has grown rapidly in response to workforce demand, increasing from 77 incoming pre-nursing students in fall 2024 to 124 in fall 2025. Enrollment is projected to exceed 150 students in fall 2026.

To accommodate that growth, the project will reconfigure and equip existing campus space to add three classrooms, a nursing lab, and faculty and staff offices. The expansion also includes simulation and teaching equipment, professional development for faculty, and upgrades to classroom technology and instructional spaces.

Cybersecurity is another high-demand field facing a workforce shortage. From the growing technology hub in Tampa Bay to Florida's expanding healthcare, defense, and financial sectors, organizations need qualified professionals to protect their digital assets from evolving cyber threats. Projections estimate the United States will face a shortage of more than one million cybersecurity professionals by 2027.

To help address the shortage, the state has allocated $602,000 to support Saint Leo University's Cybersecurity and Cyberforensics Training and Education Center. The funding will expand the university's capacity to prepare students for careers in cybersecurity and help meet Florida's workforce needs by producing graduates equipped for positions in both the public and private sectors.

The investment will support the construction of a state-of-the-art Security Operations Center and a cybersecurity forensics laboratory, providing students with hands-on training in digital defense, network monitoring, and digital forensics. Funding also will support the recruitment of additional faculty to teach in Saint Leo University's undergraduate and graduate cybersecurity programs.

“Sen. Danny Burgess and Rep. Randy Maggard sponsored these budget requests because they believe in our vision for the future of the Saint Leo community and the impact these investments will have,” said Dr. Stephen Kubasek, vice president of university advancement, who oversees the university’s legislative relations. “These appropriations will create lasting benefits for students, employers, and residents by expanding opportunities, strengthening partnerships, and building on the momentum underway at Saint Leo.”

The Town of St. Leo also will receive $995,000 from the state to support stormwater infrastructure improvements for the proposed St. Leo Town Center, a mixed-use development that will create a central gathering place for residents, visitors, and Saint Leo University. In addition to a new History Center opening this summer, planned amenities include restaurants, retail and market space, walking trails, a pavilion, ADA-accessible pathways and restrooms, botanical gardens, and shaded public gathering areas. The Town Center, the town’s primary redevelopment site, is expected to strengthen the local economy, expand opportunities for small businesses, and serve as a destination for community events, recreation, dining, and shopping.

"The improvements made possible with the state’s investment will enhance the quality of life for our residents, support the university's continued growth, and strengthen our community for years to come,” said Mayor Mike D'Ambrosio.