JAY, Fla.— Today, Governor Ron DeSantis was joined by Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Jared Perdue in Jay and Florida Department of Commerce Secretary Alex Kelly in Vernon to provide updates on Florida’s ongoing recovery efforts following Hurricane Isaias.

In Jay, Governor DeSantis highlighted the state’s efforts to safely reopen schools and provide additional recovery resources to impacted Floridians. The Governor announced that 11 Points of Distribution are now operating across Escambia, Santa Rosa, Walton and Washington counties, providing free water, shelf-stable meals, ice, tarps and other essential supplies to residents impacted by the storm.

Governor DeSantis also announced that power has been restored to 95% of customers in areas impacted by Hurricane Isaias, following nearly 450,000 outages at the height of the storm. Continue reading →

In addition to these awards, Governor DeSantis also announced that the Town of Century has been awarded nearly $500,000 through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund for a building renovation and fire suppression system upgrade, supporting a potential tenant

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, following Hurricane Isaias’ direct hit to the Florida Panhandle, Governor Ron DeSantis announced $27 million in awards to small and rural communities across Florida through the Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF). Awards were made to 14 Florida communities for projects that will complete critical infrastructure and strengthen rural economies—including eight communities and counties throughout the Panhandle. This funding will go towards projects like enhancing roadway connectivity, enhancing stormwater infrastructure, and renovating a building that will house a new primary care clinic, rural specialty care clinic and EMS operations. In addition to these awards, Governor DeSantis also announced that the Town of Century has been awarded nearly $500,000 through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund for a building renovation and fire suppression system upgrade, supporting a potential tenant. As Hurricane Isaias recovery efforts continue, this funding is mission critical to ensure long-term, reliable infrastructure and economic growth in the Panhandle and beyond.

“As we continue helping communities recover from Hurricane Isaias, we are also making investments to strengthen rural Florida and support economic growth,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Today in Washington County, I announced $27 million in Rural Infrastructure Fund awards for critical projects in 14 small and rural communities across Florida. We’re also awarding $24.3 million to 12 additional rural communities to invest in infrastructure and economic opportunity. Florida has made tremendous progress recovering from this storm. We are committed to supporting the families, businesses, and communities that have been affected so that they can rebuild in the short term and thrive in the long term.”  Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced a $1 million investment through VISIT FLORIDA to support tourism recovery efforts in Northwest Florida following Hurricane Isaias. The funding will be awarded to the Northwest Florida Tourism Council to resume the successful Northwest Florida Beaches marketing campaign, helping drive visitation and support local businesses throughout the Panhandle. 

The investment comes from VISIT FLORIDA’s dedicated crisis recovery budget, which is reserved to support Florida’s tourism industry following hurricanes and other disasters. 

“Today, I was proud to announce that VISIT FLORIDA is awarding $1 million to the Northwest Florida Tourism Council to resume their successful marketing campaign following Hurricane Isaias,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “This investment comes from a dedicated disaster recovery budget that is set aside to help Florida’s tourism industry. The returns are proven to be great: For every dollar invested in this strategic tourism marketing effort in 2024-2025, Northwest Florida generated $58.95 in total economic impact.” 

The recovery campaign builds on a successful partnership between VISIT FLORIDA and the Northwest Florida Tourism Council, representing eight Gulf Coast counties. Through a previous marketing initiative funded in part by Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., the partnership generated more than 2 million additional visitors between 2024 and 2025, contributing $327 million in additional visitor spending and supporting nearly 3,000 jobs. For every $1 invested, the program generated $35.74 in direct visitor spending and $58.95 in total economic impact.  Continue reading →

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) today announced that veterans experiencing homelessness in Ocala and Gainesville will keep their housing after she worked directly with the Department of Veterans Affairs to secure a new contract for Volunteers of America. Beginning October 1, the VA’s Contract Emergency Residential Services (CERS) program will fund 36 beds at the Ritz Veterans Village in Ocala and 18 beds in Gainesville, part of 102 beds across North Florida. The facilities’ previous VA funding was set to expire September 30.

When Volunteers of America contacted Congresswoman Cammack’s office for help, she immediately called VA Secretary Doug Collins. Her district team then worked with VA leadership to confirm the new contract ahead of the October 1 transition.

“No veteran who wore this country’s uniform should have to wonder where they’ll sleep next month. The moment we heard these men were at risk, our team went to work, and we didn’t let up until this was done,” said Congresswoman Cammack. “They deserve a roof over their heads and a system that has their back. I’m grateful to the VA for working with us and to Volunteers of America for the work they do every day.” Continue reading →