A diverse group of private, public, and nonprofit leaders from across Central Florida have endorsed State funding to continue the Florida Forever program.
The group’s endorsement comes on the eve of the Florida Forever Coalition’s statewide “Take a Hike, Florida” day on Saturday, Feb. 20. Outings in support of Florida Forever will occur at Little Big Econ State Forest in Seminole County and elsewhere around the state.
The Brevard, Lake, Osceola, Orange, Polk, Seminole, and Volusia county authors of the attached letter include:
- Mike Adams, President, Adams Ranch, Osceola County
- Frank Bruno, Volusia County Commissioner
- Bob Dallari, Seminole County Commissioner
- Carmen Dominguez, Construction Company President, Orange County
- Ken LaRoe, Bank President/CEO, Lake County
- Cary Lightsey, Lightsey Cattle Co., Polk County
- David Price, President, Bok Towers, Polk County
- Jean Reed, Polk County Commissioner
- Dean Saunders, Realtor, Polk County
- Jacob Stuart, President/CEO, Central Florida Partnership
“As leaders of central Florida committed to our state’s future, we strongly urge your support for restored funding for Florida Forever,” the group wrote to all state legislators in the seven-county region. “We believe that it is essential for the Legislature to continue Florida Forever. This will benefit our environment, protect our water resources, create economic activity, and enhance our quality of life.
“Florida Forever guarantees the natural beauty that underpins life in Florida and that attracts millions of visitors here every year … Florida Forever lands help to protect the water resources upon which all residents and businesses depend. It helps sustain our award-winning Florida State Parks and supports hunting, fishing and wildlife watching … There has never been a better time than today, with historically low land values, to make this investment in the future of our state.”
The Central Florida leaders endorse $4.8 million in State funding for Florida Forever. This amount would enable the program to continue next year through the sale of as much as $50 million in bonds for land purchases.