This week, U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., held a virtual town hall with the Avon Park Chamber of Commerce to provide an update on COVID-19 relief and Florida’s agriculture industry.
“Highlands County has experienced unique economic challenges due to COVID-19 and our team has been working at the federal, state and local levels to ensure that they have the assistance they need for a full recovery,” Steube said. “As we continue our efforts to reopen the economy, support our farmers, and vaccinate vulnerable populations, we are here to help navigate the Paycheck Protection Program and USDA initiatives, while also fighting for more resources and adequate vaccine doses.”
During the discussion, Steube announced that the 17th Congressional District has received 17,814 awards totaling $122 million in pandemic response funding and 10,849 awards in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding that total about $700 million.
Steube discussed the USDA’s Farm to Table Program, which is purchasing up to $1.5 billion worth of food for delivery through the end of April. Steube was an early supporter of the USDA’s initiatives to move products from farmers and producers to families in need and joined former U.S. Agriculture Sec. Sonny Perdue in Lakeland last June to celebrate the program and opening of the Farmers to Families Food Box Program.
