IN STATEWIDE NEWS:

Florida has requested a Major Disaster Declaration from the federal government to support Northwest Florida's recovery from Hurricane Isaias. The request seeks public assistance for 15 counties to cover eligible emergency response, debris removal, infrastructure repairs and recovery costs, along with individual assistance for residents in eight counties to help address damage to homes and property. The Florida Division of Emergency Management has coordinated with local officials, FEMA, and the U.S. Small Business Administration to assess storm damage and document existing needs. The state is also partnering with Emergency RV to provide temporary housing for displaced residents as communities continue recovery efforts.

VISIT FLORIDA is investing $1 million in Northwest Florida tourism recovery following Hurricane Isaias. The funding will help the Northwest Florida Tourism Council relaunch its Beaches marketing campaign in the hardest-hit counties. The investment builds on a previous campaign that attracted more than 2 million additional visitors between 2024 and 2025, generated $327 million in visitor spending, and supported nearly 3,000 jobs. The funding comes from VISIT FLORIDA’s crisis recovery budget to help restore tourism and support the region’s economic recovery.

On Tuesday, Governor Ron DeSantis announced $27 million in Rural Infrastructure Fund awards for 14 local governments to support economic development and job creation across Florida’s rural communities. The City of Chipley received approximately $1 million to improve downtown parking and support revitalization and tourism, while Chiefland in Levy County received $3.5 million for infrastructure needed to support a 55,000-square-foot grocery development.

IN CLIENT NEWS:

Liberty Tire Recycling raised $195,000 this year for Blessings in a Backpack, a nonprofit providing weekend meals to food-insecure children. Now in its third year, the partnership has raised more than $415,000 and packed over 16,000 food packs. This month, employees at five locations will assemble 6,500 meal bags for local programs and write encouraging notes for students. The effort reflects Liberty Tire Recycling’s continued commitment to fighting childhood hunger and supporting local communities.

Mayor Tracy Andrews and Councilwoman Cheryl McCall were sworn into the Chipley City Council on Tuesday evening. Both are returning Council members and we look forward to our continued work with the City Council.

Ken and Lynetta Griner were recently selected for the 2027 Florida Agriculture Hall of Fame and honored by the Levy County Board of County Commissioners with a proclamation recognizing their achievement. For more than 30 years, the couple has grown their family business, Usher Land & Timber, while serving Florida’s forestry and cattle industries. They were also recognized for their conservation efforts and support of agricultural education, including the College of Central Florida’s Levy Campus Timber Harvesting Equipment Program.

IN FIRM NEWS:

On Friday morning, Liberty Partners President & CEO Jennifer Green joined Lindsay Randall and Ed Dean on the Ed Dean Radio Show to discuss several topics, including Social Security’s announced 3.6% cost-of-living increase. Jennifer noted that Congress must make difficult decisions to address the program’s future. The segment also covered Representative Shane Abbott’s recent town halls on Amendment 3 and the potential impact of property tax reform. Rising costs, including gas, groceries, housing, and property taxes, remain major concerns for voters as the group discussed, many of whom are undecided or disengaged ahead of November’s election.

HIGHLIGHTS

Image courtesy of Governor Ron DeSantis' X account.

FLORIDA REQUESTS

MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION

Florida has formally requested a Major Disaster Declaration from the federal government to help Northwest Florida communities recover from Hurricane Isaias. The request, submitted by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) to President Donald Trump, seeks public assistance for 15 counties and individual assistance for residents in eight counties. If approved, the declaration would help cover eligible costs associated with emergency response, debris removal, infrastructure repairs, and recovery from damage to homes and personal property. The assistance is particularly important for smaller counties facing significant recovery expenses with limited local resources. Public assistance has been requested for Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington counties. Individual assistance has been requested for residents in Bay, Escambia, Gulf, Holmes, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, and Washington counties.

To support the request, FDEM has coordinated with county emergency management agencies, FEMA, and the U.S. Small Business Administration to assess damage to homes, businesses, roads, utilities, and other critical infrastructure. State and local teams have been documenting losses and identifying unmet needs to demonstrate the extent of the storm’s impact. In addition to pursuing federal aid, Florida is partnering with Emergency RV to provide temporary housing for residents whose homes sustained significant damage, allowing displaced families to remain in their communities while rebuilding. As the federal government reviews the request, FDEM and local officials continue coordinating response efforts and securing resources for affected communities. Residents can find updates on recovery efforts and available resources through FloridaDisaster.org⁠. Read more here.

The City of Chipley received nearly $1 million through the Rural Infrastructure Fund. From left to right: State Representative Shane Abbott, Chipley Mayor Tracy Andrews, Chipley City Manager Patrice Tanner.

GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS ANNOUNCES

$27 MILLION TO SUPPORT RURAL COMMUNITIES

On Tuesday, Governor Ron DeSantis held a press conference in Vernon to announce $27 million in awards to small and rural communities across Florida through the Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF). 14 local governments were approved for funding for projects to support critical infrastructure to drive job creation, capital investment and strengthen economies in Rural Areas of Opportunity (RAO).

The City of Chipley received approximately $1 million to rehabilitate their downtown parking facilities and construct a new public parking area. These improvements will support their downtown revitalization efforts, strengthen tourism infrastructure, improve access to businesses and community events, and promote long tern economic growth.

The City of Chiefland also received $3.5 million to construct a 55,000 square foot grocery development in Levy County with additional out-parcels that require roadway, water and wastewater infrastructure.

These investments help create opportunities for small and rural communities, support local businesses and continue economic growth. Read more here.

Image courtesy of VISIT FLORIDA.

VISIT FLORIDA ANNOUNCES $1 MILLION TO SUPPORT TOURISM RECOVERY

IN NORTHWEST FLORIDA

VISIT FLORIDA is directing $1 million toward tourism recovery efforts in Northwest Florida following Hurricane Isaias, with funding dedicated to bringing visitors back to the region and supporting local businesses. Governor Ron DeSantis announced the investment, which will allow the Northwest Florida Tourism Council to restart its Northwest Florida Beaches marketing campaign, promoting the area’s beaches, outdoor recreation, and other visitor experiences. VISIT FLORIDA will coordinate with local tourism leaders to launch the campaign, with an emphasis on fall and winter travel and additional support for the counties most affected by the storm. The funding comes from VISIT FLORIDA’s dedicated crisis recovery budget, which is reserved to help the state’s tourism industry respond to hurricanes and other disasters.

The investment builds on previous results from VISIT FLORIDA’s partnership with the Northwest Florida Tourism Council, which represents eight Gulf Coast counties. A prior campaign, partially funded by Triumph Gulf Coast, helped attract more than 2 million additional visitors between 2024 and 2025, generating $327 million in additional visitor spending and supporting nearly 3,000 jobs. The campaign produced an estimated $58.95 in total economic impact for every dollar invested, demonstrating the role tourism marketing can play in regional recovery. VISIT FLORIDA President and CEO Bryan Griffin emphasized the importance of maintaining targeted marketing efforts after a storm, as the organization works with local partners to help Northwest Florida rebuild its visitor economy. Read more here.

Liberty Tire Recycling employees help assemble notes of encouragement for Blessings in a Backpack. (Photo courtesy of Liberty Tire Recycling)

LIBERTY TIRE RECYCLING ANNOUNCES $195,000 RAISED FOR 'BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK'

Liberty Tire Recycling is continuing their standing partnership with Blessings in a Backpack. This year, Liberty Tire Recycling raised $195,000 for Blessings in a Backpack, a national nonprofit that provides weekend meals to school-aged children who battle food insecurity.

Liberty Tire Recycling announced the funds raised in recognition of National Childhood Hunger Awareness Day and World Food Day. The funds came from the Liberty Cares Charity Golf Tournament and partner contributions. Now in its third year, the partnership has raised more than $415,000 and packed over 16,000 food packs for children in need. It began when Liberty Tire Recyling employees said they wanted to support a cause that helps children and fights hunger.

This month, teams at five locations will pack 6,500 bags of weekend meals for local programs. Employees company-wide are also writing notes of encouragement to go home with students. We’re proud to represent Liberty Tire Recycling and applaud their work to invest meaningfully in the communities they serve.

Mayor Tracy Andrews is sworn into office. (Photos courtesy of Liberty Partners of Tallahassee)

Councilwoman Cheryl McCall is sworn into office.

Members of the Chipley City Council pose for a photo with the City's Rural Infrastructure Fund award check.

CITY OF CHIPLEY SWEARS IN TWO RETURNING COUNCILMEMBERS

On Tuesday evening, the City of Chipley swore in two returning Councilmembers. Mayor Tracy Andrews and Councilmember Cheryl McCall both took their oaths from Circuit Judge Christopher Patterson to return the Chipley City Council as each were unopposed. The Council then made appointments to their leadership, by unanimously selecting Mayor Andrews and Mayor Pro Tempore Kevin Russell to continue serving in these roles.

We would like to congratulate these officials and look forward to continue to work with the City of Chipley to advance their legislative priorities.

Image courtesy of Citrus County Chronicle.

KEN AND LYNETTA GRINER RECOGNIZED

BY LEVY COUNTY

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Ken and Lynetta Griner were recently honored by being selected for the 2027 Florida Agriculture Hall of Fame. At its October 6 meeting, the Levy County Board of County Commissioners - a Liberty Partners client - honored the couple with a proclamation and declared October 7 a day recognizing their achievement.

For over three decades, the Griner’s have preserved and grown their family’s multigenerational operation, Usher Land & Timber, while serving in leadership roles across Florida’s forestry and cattle industries. The County also recognized their commitment to conservation and agricultural education, including opening their operation to students and educators and supporting the Timber Harvesting Equipment Program at the College of Central Florida’s Levy Campus. “We’re so proud to represent Levy County everywhere we go,” Lynetta said. Read more here.

LIBERTY PARTNERS ON THE MOVE

Last week, Liberty Partners of Tallahassee President & CEO Jennifer Green and Director of Client Relations Ethan Merchant traveled to Chicago for a national client meeting. We enjoyed catching up with colleagues from across the country and developing winning strategies to meet client needs.

LIBERTY PARTNERS PRESIDENT & CEO

ON ED DEAN RADIO SHOW

On Friday, Liberty Partners of Tallahassee President & CEO Jennifer Green joined Lindsay Randall and Ed Dean during a segment of the Ed Dean Show. To begin the segment, the group discussed the Social Security Administration's recent announcement of a 3.6% cost of living adjustment increase in retirement benefits ($75 per month). Jennifer noted that Congress must find a solution related to the future of Social Security and that tough decisions will have to be made.

Additionally, Ed highlighted Representative Shane Abbott's recent town halls on Amendment 3 and the implications if the property tax amendment is approved by 60% of voters in the General Election. Ed noted that the current issues facing his listeners right now are affordability, gas prices, grocery prices, housing and property taxes. He also shared that many listeners have expressed their disinterest in November's election and are undecided on how they will vote. To listen to Jennifer's full segment, click here and begin at the 30:40 mark.

TEAM LPOT - HERE FOR YOU

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IN THE NEWS

James Uthmeier sues Discord, alleging messaging platform fails to protect children from predators

-Florida Politics

Attorney General James Uthmeier has filed a lawsuit against Discord, alleging the communication platform deceived parents about its safety and failed to protect minors from sexual predators. Full story here.

DeSantis Announces $1 Million for Northwest Florida Tourism Recovery

-The Capitolist

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday that Visit Florida will provide $1 million to support tourism recovery efforts in Northwest Florida following Hurricane Isaias, with funding directed toward a regional marketing campaign intended to increase visitation and support local businesses. Full story here.

DeSantis Awards $27M in Infrastructure Upgrades, Includes Florida Panhandle

-The Floridian

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced $27 million in awards to fourteen small and rural communities for economic growth as part of Florida's Rural Infrastructure Fund while speaking at a press conference in Vernon this week. Full story here.

Florida taking next step against Instagram after rejecting nationwide settlement

-WUSF

Florida's attorney general is asking Facebook and Instagram to tighten their platforms to deny access to its "addictive features" for children, as the state pressed its legal battle against the tech giant Meta. Full story here.

SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS OF THE WEEK

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