January 7, 2026

Governor DeSantis makes remarks at Sea Hag Marina in Steinhatchee, FL

Governor Ron DeSantis visited Taylor County today to announce over $167 million in hurricane recovery and infrastructure grants for rural North Florida communities battered by recent storms. For the people of Taylor County, Steinhatchee, Dixie County, and Cross City, the Governor's words carried special weight—he spoke directly about their resilience, the area's world-famous stone crabs, and its irreplaceable "old Florida" charm.

DeSantis recounted the punishing series of storms that hit the Big Bend: Idalia in 2023, Debbie in 2024, and Helene just a month later. "You guys didn’t get Milton as bad," he said, "but certainly Idalia, Helene… that was 13 months to get three of those. That was really a big deal." He praised the community's perseverance, noting, "People here really did a good job persevering."

The Governor reserved particular enthusiasm for Steinhatchee. After announcing a $300,000 grant to study the best location for new commercial seafood offload infrastructure in Steinhatchee, he shared a personal highlight:

“I gotta tell you—so we’re going to Kathie’s Krab Shack after this. I’ve never seen bigger stone crab claws than I’ve seen here. Massive stone crab. I mean, just unbelievable.”

That moment perfectly captured what draws people to the area: legendary stone crabs, a vibrant working waterfront, and authentic coastal character.

DeSantis also highlighted the impressive recovery at Sea Hag Marina in Steinhatchee. Pointing to the high-water mark left by Helene, he remarked:

“I remember seeing this right after, and they have how high the water got on that pole—it’s unbelievable for Helene… There was an incredible amount of damage. But this is really, really well done.”

He contrasted the Big Bend's understated beauty with flashier parts of Florida: “It’s kind of old Florida. It’s not South Beach… This is something that is really how Florida was for most of our 180-year history, and we still have that here.”

Major Investments Coming to the Area

The announced funding includes tens of millions targeted specifically at Taylor County, Steinhatchee, and Dixie County/Cross City:

Taylor County & Steinhatchee highlights:

$12 million for a new parallel wastewater treatment in Perry
$8.5 million to replace and upgrade wastewater infrastructure
$4.5 million for a resilient, independent water source
$4.9 million for a special needs emergency shelter
$4.5 million to the Big Bend Water Authority to repair and replace critical water mains serving Steinhatchee
$300,000 planning grant for commercial seafood offload infrastructure in Steinhatchee
$1 million to Taylor County Commissioners for residential road repairs and paving

Dixie County & Cross City highlights:

Two major awards to Cross City totaling $37.7 million:
- $32 million to build a brand-new wastewater treatment facility
- $5.7 million to upgrade stormwater drainage with reinforced concrete piping

These projects emphasize storm-hardening: elevating electrical components, adding backup generators, and ensuring water and sewer systems can survive future surges.

A Governor Who Shows Up for Rural Florida

DeSantis stressed that supporting rural areas isn't about politics—it's simply right. "I don’t need to do rural to get elected," he said, pointing out he could win with urban votes alone. Yet he's prioritized it, becoming the first governor to hold events in all 67 counties and always arriving with meaningful investments.

For the residents of Steinhatchee, Cross City, Taylor County, and Dixie County, today's announcements and the Governor's heartfelt praise sent a clear message: your communities matter, your recovery matters, and your unique piece of old Florida is worth protecting.

Here’s to a stronger Big Bend—and to those legendary stone crab claws at Kathie’s Krab Shack. 🦀🇺🇸 #FLStrong #Steinhatchee #TaylorCounty #BigBendFlorida