Anna Newhoff
NCR Reporter
Officials cut the ribbon Monday on the completed second phase of the $7.95 million Nassau County Public Safety Training Complex, marking a major milestone in the county’s ongoing investment in first responder preparedness.
The Nassau County Board of County Commissioner, U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean, and Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper were at the event to help celebrate the expanded facility located at 153322 County Road 108, Yulee.
“It was one of my last acts as a state senator, was to listen to the vision that Sheriff Leeper had of the need of what could be right next door to Sandhill,” Bean said. “Everything that he visioned is what we see here today.”
Phase two of the multi-phase project includes an indoor training facility to enhance Nassau County Sheriff’s Office capabilities. According to a social media post from the NCSO, “This facility provides a designated space to train local first responders including our deputies. It includes a shooting simulator, strength training room, defensive tactics room to train on less lethal force when trying to subdue a suspect, a driving simulator, and multiple classrooms of different sizes.”
The complex was funded through a $5.95 million State Legislative grant, along with $2 million in county law enforcement impact fees.
The full complex spans 40 acres and includes a number of features already in use. The first phase, completed in March 2021, established the facility’s gun range with $1.6 million in federal funds.
Looking ahead, the next phase will include a grant-funded K-9 training facility. The complex will continue to grow as money for the project comes in.
It will be open to outside law enforcement agencies for joint training. That kind of regional collaboration improves public safety for all communities.
“When criminals are committing crimes in our area, they usually go somewhere else too,” said Leeper. “Being able to train together makes our community safer.”
Leeper believes the investment should be seen as a direct benefit to community safety.
“We could train more often, train better, and provide better service for our citizens,” he said. “And keep our county as safe as possible.”
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