DeSantis Announces More than $10 Million to Combat Supply Chain, Infrastructure Crisis

February 21st, 2021 Updated 3:46 P.M. ET

TALLAHASSEE (FCV) – Governor Ron DeSantis (R) spent the beginning of President’s Day announcing his plan to delegate almost $11 million in funding to improve infrastructure and create jobs for counties in rural Northern Florida. 

Speaking from the storefront of a local diner in Madison, the Governor specifically referenced workforce education as one of the main components of the funding initiative, which he says will attract more companies to relocate or expand into Florida. 

The second component of the Governor’s plan would see money allocated to widening roads that lead to rural industrial parks in an effort to minimize national supply chain issues and their effect on the state of Florida.

Specifically on infrastructure, $5 million will be used in Putnam county to widen pathways and sidewalks of the commercial downtown area. An additional $340,000 will go towards extending services to a business park near the city of Palatka.

Echoing a similar sentiment that he has expressed in the past, DeSantis reaffirmed his opposition towards the United States’ dependent trading relationship with China.

“I’m sick of getting all this stuff from China,” he said. 

The Governor’s actions and rhetoric seeking to restore local autonomy from foreign supply chains comes as the average price of a gallon of gas in Florida hit an eight year high of $3.51 on Monday, up 90 cents from this time last year. 
The price of gas is expected to rise exponentially if tensions between Russia and Ukraine lead to an armed invasion of the latter nation. This comes as Vice President Kamala Harris (D) told Americans Sunday to expect “some cost” economically if Russia invades Ukraine.