Increased public awareness of a debilitating disease will be among the priorities for the Alzheimer’s Association as lawmakers head into the Legislative Session this week.

The Florida Chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association are preparing to target legislators as the House and Senate convene Tuesday. The main focus will be expanding outreach about the warning signs of the disease.

“Florida has long been a leader in Alzheimer’s care and support and we hope to continue that trend in 2025,” said Angela McAuley, Regional Vice President for the Alzheimer’s Association Florida Chapters.

“With the number of Floridians impacted by Alzheimer’s set to rise, we must be prepared. The Alzheimer’s Association, alongside advocates from across the state, is eager to work with the Florida Legislature and Governor DeSantis to ensure that every Floridian impacted by Alzheimer’s and other dementias receives the support they need.”

One point of major interest for Alzheimer’s advocates is legislation (SB 398, HB 1065) calling for the appropriation of $1.5 million for Alzheimer’s awareness programs, requiring the Department of Elderly Affairs to hire contractors for an awareness program. If approved, those programs would begin in July.

The Alzheimer’s group also will be advocating for continued funding for a “Brain Bus.” That effort would continue public transportation for those who suffer Alzheimer’s in more rural areas of the state. Those residents find it difficult to get any transportation in some 30 out of Florida’s 67 counties simply because there isn’t mass transit in those areas. The Brain Bus helped about 13,000 Floridians last year in all 67 counties.

Home services for Alzheimer’s patients are another point of interest for the advocates. Some 18,000 family caregivers in the state are currently waiting to be added to the Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative. The Alzheimer’s Association says Gov. Ron DeSantis’ recommendation of a $6 million increase in that initiative, plus another $8 million increase for the Community Care for the Elderly program, could provide vital increases in critical care services.

The group is also pushing for continued Alzheimer’s research.

“Continued research is essential for finding new treatments, prevention strategies, and better management practices for Alzheimer’s. The Alzheimer’s Association will advocate for the Governor’s Recommendation of $5 million in funding for the Ed and Ethel Moore Alzheimer’s Disease Research Program, which supports Florida-based research aimed at advancing the understanding and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease,” an Alzheimer’s Association news release said.

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Florida’s 31 rural counties are poised for a transformation with a statewide impact.

Currently, Florida’s rural counties account for only 2.92% of the state’s $1.6 trillion economy, yet they have outpaced non-rural counties in GDP growth over the past five years. With targeted investment and smart policies, Florida can achieve the ambitious goal set in the “Florida 2030 Blueprint” — doubling the rural share of GDP (since the Blueprint plan was launched in 2018) to 5.56% by 2030.

As Senate President Ben Albritton recently noted at the Florida Chamber’s Legislative Fly-in, the state must prepare for a “Rural Renaissance” to drive opportunity and economic growth. This isn’t just a hopeful vision — it’s a strategic imperative. The momentum is there, but unlocking the full potential of rural Florida will require prioritizing infrastructure, manufacturing, broadband access, AgTech and workforce development.

The rural growth engine is running — but needs focus and fuel

Since 2018, rural counties have seen 56.6% GDP growth, surpassing the 49.1% growth rate of non-rural counties. Some counties — like Liberty, Okeechobee and Walton — have experienced extraordinary economic expansion. This shows that Florida’s rural communities when given the right tools, can be powerful economic engines.

However, the challenge remains: rural businesses need better access to markets, workers need better access to jobs, and families need better access to opportunity. That means investing in transportation networks, manufacturing, agricultural technology, and digital connectivity that link rural areas to the broader economy.

Infrastructure is the foundation of rural prosperity

Transportation plays a critical role in rural economic success. Many of Florida’s key rural industries — agriculture, forestry, manufacturing, AgTech and others — depend on efficient logistics systems.

To truly accelerate economic expansion, Florida must prioritize rural transportation projects that connect communities to ports, highways and rail systems. Expanding these linkages will attract businesses, create jobs and drive export growth — a goal outlined in the Florida 2030 Blueprint to double goods exports and triple services exports.

Florida’s agriculture industry feeds the world. By combining research and development (R&D) with agriculture, technology and innovation-based investments can help leverage rural Florida’s assets.

Additionally, manufacturing presents a key growth opportunity for rural Florida, leveraging affordable land for expansion. The manufacturing sector’s share of jobs is currently at 4.9%, but investing in infrastructure — highways, rail and logistics — can position rural counties as prime locations for manufacturing. This will strengthen Florida’s global competitiveness and export potential while also creating high-wage jobs.

Broadband: The digital highway to economic growth

Just as roads and bridges connect physical goods, broadband connects people and businesses to the digital economy. Yet, a stark divide remains — only 84.4% of rural households have broadband internet subscriptions, compared to 90.5% in non-rural areas. In some counties, fewer than 75% of families have reliable high-speed internet.

This gap isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s a roadblock to prosperity.

Lack of broadband limits small businesses, restricts remote talent acquisition and job opportunities, and reduces access to education and health care.

The good news? Florida is making major investments. In 2023, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced $247 million for broadband expansion through the Capital Projects Fund. This is a step in the right direction and strategic planning with public-private partnerships is needed to ensure 100% of Florida residents — regardless of ZIP code — have access to high-speed connectivity, one of the Florida 2030 Blueprint goals.

Building a workforce for rural success

Currently, new business formations in rural counties lag behind non-rural areas — rural counties accounted for just 3% of new business applications last year.

The key to reversing this trend? Investing in workforce development and entrepreneurship.

The Florida College System is already helping by offering Entrepreneurship college credit certificates in rural areas, training local talent to start and sustain businesses. Expanding these programs and encouraging enrollment will be essential to building a strong pipeline of local business owners who can drive local economic growth. Additionally, rural communities should better leverage Florida’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, which enroll over 230,000 students annually in degree or certificate programs in high-demand fields like construction, manufacturing and logistics. These programs ensure that local businesses have access to a skilled workforce, reducing the need for employers to look outside their communities.

The future of rural Florida starts now

Florida’s rural counties have already proven they can drive economic growth — but realizing their full potential requires continued investment and collaboration to contribute to Florida’s long-term economic success.

The Florida Chamber Foundation is working toward this vision every day. To learn more about strategies driving Florida’s rural economic growth, join us at the 2025 Florida Transportation, Growth, and Infrastructure Solution Summit on Dec. 3, 2025 (click here to register today), where rural economic development will be a key focus. The Florida Chamber Foundation Community Development Partners Board is engaged in the yearlong work to advance the Florida 2030 Blueprint goals — contact Dr. Richard to discuss membership and how you can become a driving force for the future of Florida’s 31 rural counties.

Click HERE to read the full research brief that informed this op-ed.

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Dr. Keith Richard is vice president of Research for the Florida Chamber Foundation.

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Since President Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring that the body of water formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico will now be called the Gulf of America, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is officially following suit.

FWC officials announced that the agency will rename the body of water to Gulf of America “in all Commission materials, documents, and rules set forth” in the state’s official maps, forms, and resources.

FWC Executive Director Roger Young stated that the agency must follow the President’s orders.

“As a vital resource for the State of Florida and its citizens, providing both recreational and economic opportunities through fishing, boating, tourism, and other outdoor pursuits, the Gulf of America plays a significant role in our nation’s and state’s economy and leisure activities,” said Young.

One of Trump’s first official actions after taking the oath of office on January 20 was to stipulate that the Gulf of Mexico would henceforth be renamed the Gulf of America. This move was not without controversy.

The Associated Press, one of the world’s leading news agencies, has refused to use the new name. This decision, which affects the materials used by Florida Politics, led Trump to retaliate by barring the news outlet from the White House press pool.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has threatened to file a civil suit against Google, the internet search engine and map service, over the name change of the body of water.

Young emphasized that the FWC has multiple services and functions related to what is now the Gulf of America, which runs along Florida’s entire West Coast.

The Division of Marine Fisheries monitors and conducts numerous marine management projects in the Gulf of America.

The Fish and Wildlife Research Institute serves as the primary research agency for that area.

Additionally, the FWC Division of Law Enforcement patrols thousands of miles of waterways in the Gulf, including the Boating and Waterways section within that division.

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