Gov. DeSantis talks at Florida Rural Economic Development Summit 2025

Florida Rural Economic Development Summit 2025

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke at the Florida Rural Economic Development Summit 2025 on Thursday at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala.

OCALA, Fla. - Gov. Ron DeSantis touted his administration’s rural investments and warned about the risks posed by artificial intelligence during a speech at the Florida Rural Economic Development Summit.

DeSantis said AI could create "big pitfalls," including confusion over what is real and the potential displacement of white-collar workers. He added that he doesn’t believe the technology should be subsidized. 

‘Rural renaissance’

Local perspective:

The governor also highlighted his travel to all 67 Florida counties and said rural communities have been a major focus of his administration. 

His remarks came as Florida Senate leaders revived a sweeping "rural renaissance" package for the 2026 legislative session. 

The 138-page bill, filed Thursday by Sen. Corey Simon, R-Tallahassee, aims to expand health care, education, transportation and economic development in rural areas. The proposal includes $25 million to help medical professionals establish rural practices, higher Medicaid payments for critical-access hospitals, student-loan assistance for rural educators, increased road-repair funding and creation of an Office of Rural Prosperity.

"Quality of life in rural areas can be impacted by access to job opportunities, education and health care," Simon said in a statement. "Rural renaissance" legislation passed the Senate in 2025 but stalled in the House.