Gov. DeSantis plans to approve $30M toward Florida rural infrastructure fund

Governor discussed infrastructure improvements in Mayo

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis holds a news conference Wednesday in Clearwater. (Florida Governor Pool)

MAYO, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis announced funding for infrastructure improvements for two Florida counties and also said he plans to approve $30 million in the Florida budget toward the rural infrastructure fund.

The governor was joined by DEO Secretary Dane Eagle for two news conferences Wednesday morning in Lafayette and Gilchrist counties.

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DeSantis said $7 million was included in the budget and approved to go toward Lafayette County. He also said $30 million in the budget would be approved for the rural infrastructure fund for Florida.

“Florida’s economy has been leading the nation. We are outpacing in job growth, outpacing in workforce. We have more jobs and workers here than we did pre-pandemic. That’s amazing,” Eagle said.

The governor also announced over $400 million would go toward building broadband infrastructure in Florida’s rural areas. This money is coming from federal funds granted by the bi-partisan infrastructure deal that was passed by Congress in 2021 and signed by President Joe Biden.

DeSantis commented on the new inflation numbers released Wednesday. Consumer prices jumped 8.3% last month from 12 months earlier. Inflation slowed in April after seven months of relentless gains, a tentative sign that price increases may be peaking while still imposing a financial strain on American households.

“All we can control is here. And so, we’ve done really well. A lot of opportunities in this state. Obviously, when these other states were closed, and we were open (it made) it a lot easier for us to gain ground. So we were doing that and we were happy to do it,” DeSantis said.

The governor held another event at a restaurant, BubbaQue’s BBQ, in Trenton. DeSantis said the state’s budget will include $23 million for infrastructure and economic development in Gilchrist County.

“Some of these projects include $18 million for three road resurfacing projects. It includes $4.7 million through the small community outreach program for bridge and road maintenance. It also provides $370,000 for the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office for pay raises for the sheriff’s deputies,” DeSantis said.

The event comes after DeSantis recently signed two bills in Miami to honor “victims of communism.”

“This legislation will make sure that our students and people throughout the state of Florida are reminded about the atrocities committed (by communist leaders),” DeSantis said.


About the Authors:

Brenda Argueta is a digital journalist who joined ClickOrlando.com in March 2021. She is the author of the Central Florida Happenings newsletter that goes out every Thursday.

Thomas Mates is a digital storyteller for News 6 and ClickOrlando.com. He also produces the podcast Florida Foodie. Thomas is originally from Northeastern Pennsylvania and worked in Portland, Oregon before moving to Central Florida in August 2018. He graduated from Temple University with a degree in Journalism in 2010.

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