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Grant Could Help Fund First Data Field Upgrades

New York Mets

St. Lucie County officials have submitted more information on a state grant for upgrades to First Data Field, the spring training home of the New York Mets

In a vote on Tuesday afternoon, the St. Lucie County Commission authorized sending more details to the state on a request for a $20 million grant. The grant is a sought-after component in the funding model for funding renovations to First Data Field and the adjacent complex.

We have previously covered the finer points of the proposal on our sister site, Spring Training Online. First Data Field would receive upgrades to its fan and player amenities, with a new 360-degree concourse being one of the major additions.Work on the project is expected to take in phases over multiple years, starting at some point in 2017, but securing the grant is a major step that needs to be competed.

The state has determined that the county’s proposal is eligible for the grant. More from TCPalm:

The county owes about $5.4 million on the 29-year old stadium, which the Mets would pay. The team also agreed to pay the county $2 million a year and stay in Port St. Lucie another 25 years in exchange for the county investing $60 million in the complex.

Officials from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity on Friday told the county it was eligible to receive the grant, which would be paid in monthly installments of $83,333 for 20 years.

First Data Field is also home to the St. Lucie Mets (High A; Florida State League), and the project’s schedule should allow the team to continue using the ballpark during the regular season. The ballpark was known as Tradition Field until February, when the Mets announced a new naming rights agreement with First Data.

RELATED STORIES: Grant Sought for Tradition Field ProjectTradition Field Upgrades Still on Tap

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