‘Rural Renaissance' bill to benefit counties in the Panhandle
LIBERTY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Florida Senate leaders are pushing a revitalization of rural communities, and the Panhandle is set to be the main beneficiary.
Senator Corey Simon's 'Rural Renaissance' bill passed Wednesday afternoon.
The bill includes nearly $200 million in funding and would redirect nearly another $100 million from general revenue in the state budget.
It aims to increase partnerships with rural communities, enhance rural transportation and broadband infrastructure, expand rural housing options, improve education opportunities, and make health care more accessible.
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Many local counties fit the bill's requirements.
'For a community like Liberty County and our surrounding counties, we need all the help we can get. You know, Florida is growing at a rapid pace, but up here in the panhandle, we're seeing a decline. And, with some of these bills that are coming out that could possibly help us grow our tax base and help our schools, help our law enforcement, help our emergency management, and EMS. We need it. We have to have it,' Liberty County Sheriff Dusty Arnold said.
Calhoun, Franklin, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Walton, and Washington counties are set to benefit from this bill.
On Thursday, representatives from each county will be in Tallahassee for 'Rural Counties Day' showcasing their communities.
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