OCALA, FLORIDA — At a press conference held at Ocala Rodeo Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, Governor DeSantis announced a $4 million grant for infrastructure improvement in Marion County while sharing his love for Buc-ee’s.
“We’re here today because we’re alway looking for ways to make an impact in terms of economic growth. The Job Growth Grant Fund can be used for infrastructure projects, workforce projects and expanding opportunities,” the governor began.
The grant was given by The Florida Department of Transportation, and will be used to build an I-75 interchange that’s going to reduce traffic, expand job growth, and improve the infrastructure of Florida’s roads and parks. “This is going to relieve congestion and provide for economic growth,” DeSantis said.
The $4 million grant fund comes on the back of DeSantis’ “Move America Forward Project” – an act he passed seven months ago that is designed to accelerate building projects.
Under DeSantis’ leadership, it’s hard to ignore the massive economic growth the state has undergone.
“Florida has a record budget surplus, was ranked number one for new business formations, number one for education freedom, number one for parental involvement in education, and has the number one ranked public higher education system in the country, according to US News and World Report,” DeSantis said.
COMBATTING BIDEN-FLATION IN FLORIDA
DeSantis didn’t hold back from calling out President Biden’s poor economic policies: “We’re constantly trying to help folks navigate the Biden-flation,” he said.
"People constantly ask me if we’re going to have a recession – I think it’s already here. But, Florida is in a much better position than other states… Our debt in Florida is 20 billion dollars. Compare that to the federal debt – 31 trillion!”
Gov. DeSantis plans to keep the state’s debt low by using Florida’s surplus to enact an accelerated debt repayment plan.
“The federal debt is higher than our entire American economy. Even though we’re in good shape here in Florida, we’re going to pay down our debt quickly,” he added.
TAX BREAKS FOR FLORIDIANS
The governor also referenced tax packages that he’s passed, which combat poor federal legislation.
“We’re mindful of a lot of things going on nationally that’s causing problems. So what we’re doing in Florida is passing big tax packages and making big reductions for families,” he added. This includes implementing no sales tax for baby products, pet products and tolls.
I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM, WE ALL SCREAM FOR BUC-EE’S!
“One thing you learn working with this governor – there’s no time for rest. We just keep moving forward,” Buc-ee’s CEO, Arch Aplin III said.
The Job Growth Grant Fund’s interchange will be completed at the same time as a third, 80,000 square foot Buc-ee’s, a popular chain of country stores, gas stations, and Tesla Superchargers.
“They introduced Buc-ees in Florida in 2021 and it’s been a huge hit,” DeSantis said. “If you’ve never been in one of these – they make so much stuff. It’s basically like the Shangri-la of service stations.”
The Buc-ees will also feature 120 fuel pumps and more than 720 parking spaces to accommodate the high amount of traffic in the area. “This will be the first one [Buc-ee’s] we’ve had on I-75 in the state of Florida and this may be bigger than any Buc-ee’s they’ve ever built.”
The governor couldn’t hide his love for Buc-ee’s as he tossed his favorite Beaver nuggets into the crowd: “These things are seriously addicting!”
