Monroe County officials recently cleared the way for the College of the Florida Keys to pursue an expansion to Big Pine Key, where the county’s environmental review found the project would have “no significant impact on the human environment.”
The college leases the former Big Pine Prison Camp site from the state of Florida and wants to offer workforce programs such as commercial driver license (CDL) and law enforcement training on the property.
More specifically, college officials released a statement saying, “The potential programs and uses for the site may include a marine aquaculture facility, shared community spaces, construction apprenticeships, commercial driver’s license (CDL) training and motor vehicle training for law enforcement. These programs advance CFK’s mission to deliver student-centric academic programs and services, workforce development, continuing education and to engage with diverse partners.”
The college originally shared its ideas in 2019 at a county commission meeting. In 2021, after leasing the property from the state, the college held two community meetings in Big Pine Key. Since then, CFK has pursued funding opportunities to support expansion of programs and services in the Lower Keys.
“CFK is dedicated to partnering with our Florida Keys community. Our programs are geared to benefit our residents,” said Jonathan Gueverra, CFK president. “This includes both economic prosperity and respecting what makes the Keys special.”
In 2023, the college applied for and was awarded a $2 million Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant. Prior to the college accessing the funds, a “responsible entity” had to complete an environmental review. HUD identified Monroe County as the entity tasked with completing the environmental review. The county published a notice on Dec. 18, 2025, stating, “the project will have no significant impact on the human environment.”
The Big Pine site is not located within the Key Deer National Wildlife Refuge, and the college has replaced the perimeter fence to secure the property and keep wildlife out.
Per Florida Statute, the college is exempt from obtaining building permits for development on the site. But any development must be consistent with the county’s Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code. The county will work with the college to review the proposed project to ensure it meets these requirements.
Two of the potential programs, law enforcement vehicle and CDL training, would increase accessibility to high-demand career opportunities allowing Keys residents to prepare for and become certified close to home instead of going to the mainland. Many local organizations and businesses, from utilities and public works to tourism and schools, require employees to have CDLs. And the safety of every community hinges on the quality of its law enforcement. The size and variety of the college’s fleet of vehicles for CDL training will reflect the demand from the community and may include passenger buses, garbage trucks, school buses, construction trucks and tractor trailers. Most of the training will take place in classrooms and in vehicles on the site. On-the-road training will primarily use routes similar to those used by commercial vehicles currently serving the community.
Workforce demand and funding availability will determine the future program opportunities. More information is available from communications@cfk.edu. While no timelines have been announced, stay tuned to keysweekly.com for a more detailed follow-up.
