Andrew Powell
A major piece of legislation backers hope will usher in a modern-day renaissance in rural communities across Florida has the full support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Tallahassee Republican state Sen. Corey Simon is spearheading the bill (SB 110) that aims to create an opportunity for rural communities to expand education, improve access to health care services and modernize commerce.
The measure has been a priority of Republican Senate President Ben Albritton, who announced Tuesday that the USDA is putting its full support behind the legislation.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and Senior Advisor for Rural Prosperity and former Oklahoma House Speaker T.W. Shannon detailed in a letter how the nation is facing a $49 billion agricultural trade deficit, an increase in costs, the loss of farmland and a 14% poverty rate in non-metro areas — making the need for bold measures even more important.
“As current federal leaders, and just as important in this instance former state government officials, we write today to commend you both for recognizing this obligation and providing bold solutions to achieve a rural renaissance,” Rollins states in the letter.
The Donald Trump administration appointee said the legislation would help to revitalize rural Florida through new and existing funding.
“The measure would create an Office of Rural Prosperity, Rural Renaissance grants, and expand opportunities for greater rural small businesses development, broadband deployment, rural hospitals and telemedicine, education, transportation infrastructure, and affordable housing options, among other needs in rural communities,” Rollins wrote.
Rollins went on to say that should this measure be enacted, the USDA stands ready to support resulting initiatives through USDA’s existing Rural Development programs. This includes the ReConnect broadband initiative, Community Facilities Direct Loans and Grants, and Business & Industry Loan Guarantees, among other Department programs.
Rollins further noted that if the legislation does become law — it has already been unanimously passed by the Florida Senate — the USDA invites further discussion regarding a federal-state partnership to improve coordination, innovation and community leadership to maximize its local impact.
“We are hopeful in the coming months to align federal, state, private, and nonprofit resources to achieve our shared goal — a revival of rural America — and in the process showcase Florida as a national leader on the issue,” Rollins wrote.
In response, Albritton thanked the USDA for their support. The Wauchula lawmaker comes from a long line of Florida citrus growers.
“Thanks to your support of this comprehensive initiative, Florida can become a national model for creating a rural renaissance whereby local communities across the nation can grow and prosper as they see fit,” Albritton said in a memo. “We look forward to working with Secretary Rollins and Speaker Shannon on opportunities to share Florida’s vision for a rural renaissance with other heritage communities across our great Nation.”
