As the Panhandle recovers from Hurricane Isaias, we are helping businesses reopen safely and getting Floridians back to work. Thanks to the efforts of first responders, emergency management personnel, and state agency teams, many businesses in the region have already been able to start operating again and welcoming customers—including Jackacuda’s Seafood and Sushi in Destin.   Our efforts to help businesses reopen and restore the region’s economy are ongoing in the hardest-hit communities. So far, 236 Business Damage Assessment Surveys have been completed, and we have made available $10 million through the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. These are short-term, zero-interest loans to help small business owners get the immediate cash flow they need to reopen while they wait for other funding, like insurance, to kick in. We’re committed to doing everything we can to help Panhandle communities get the assistance they need to get back on their feet. If you are a business owners or local resident affected by Hurricane Isaias, visit FloridaDisaster.org for more information on resources available to you.

Governor DeSantis Highlights Successful Business Reopenings Since Hurricane Isaias xitter.cf/i/broadcasts/1MJgNbmwZ…

Since Hurricane Isaias made landfall, we have been working to ensure that those affected by this storm have the assistance they need to get back on their feet. We are operating seven Multi-Agency Resource Centers where Floridians can learn about available assistance and get connected with recovery resources. Thanks to our partnership with Emergency RV, we have started providing travel trailers to Floridians displaced by significant hurricane damage, so they have a safe place to live while they rebuild. We’re also committed to helping the first responders whose homes were impacted by the storm and still showed up to serve their communities. With funding from the Florida Sheriffs Association, we are providing these first responders with $5,000 each to show our gratitude. Schools in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties have reopened and resumed normal operations. We’re grateful for the hard work of school teams, transportation crews, and all our partners who helped make them safe for students and staff. For more information on Hurricane Isaias resources, visit FloridaDisaster.org.

Today, I was proud to present the Governor’s Medal of Freedom to Baseball Hall of Famer and great Floridian Andre Dawson. His distinguished career in Major League Baseball, his contributions to the sport, and his lasting impact on our state have earned him this award. From his childhood in Southwest Miami, to his college days at FAMU, to his legendary MLB career, “The Hawk” has represented Florida in the best possible way for decades. His generous support of FAMU and its baseball program has helped generations of student-athletes succeed. The Governor’s Medal of Freedom is the highest honor I can bestow on any Floridian, and Andre Dawson truly deserves this recognition.

Governor DeSantis Presents Florida Governor’s Medal of Freedom to Andre Dawson xitter.cf/i/broadcasts/1qKVmyqOW…

Governor DeSantis Delivers Remarks at The University of Texas Civitas Institute xitter.cf/i/broadcasts/1PJqrNBbl…

Since Hurricane Isaias made landfall a week ago, more than 1,600 response missions have been completed. We are focused on delivering the critical supplies and resources needed to get people back on their feet and recover from this storm. We are operating 11 Points of Distribution across the Panhandle, which have given out: ✓ More than 270,000 shelf-stable meals ✓ Nearly half a million boxes of water ✓ Nearly 225,000 gallons of fuel ✓ More than 26,000 bags of ice and tarps   As recovery efforts continue, Florida has submitted a Major Disaster Declaration request to the federal government. We are requesting Public and Individual Assistance to help support Panhandle residents, local governments, and infrastructure affected by the storm.   In addition, we are now partnering with Emergency RV to provide temporary housing for Floridians displaced by Hurricane Isaias. We will be doing everything we can to help these families rebuild their homes, and in the meantime, we want them to be able to keep living in their communities with as little disruption to their daily lives as possible.