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Business Beautification Grant Funds Available
Caregivers Caring for Dementia Patients Get Help from
Council on Aging Martin County
Stuart - Caregivers of dementia patients face physical, mental, emotional and often financial challenges to keep their loved ones safe and comfortable. The Council on Aging Martin County now offers a program, called GUIDE, that helps the caregiver as well as the patient and even provides funding for respite care.
“We know how difficult it can be for individuals with dementia and their families to find the resources they need and to feel confident in the choices they’re making,” said Council on Aging Martin President and CEO Karen Ripper. “Our GUIDE program enables us to bring our community even more ways of caring for... Click to read more!
Martin County Submits Federal-State Partnership Grant Application for Brightline Station
Stuart - Martin County successfully submitted an application for the Federal-State Partnership (FSP) grant that will help fund a Brightline station in Martin County. The County is excited and optimistic about the possibility of utilizing federal funds to construct an intercity passenger rail station that will generate economic development and provide a much-needed transportation alternative.
The FSP grant will be utilized to support the design and construction of the approximate 8,000 square foot train station that will be in downtown Stuart in Martin County. In addition to a station and platform, the project will include a surface parking lot and rail infrastructure improvements necessary for the introduction of the station.
“We are confident that our grant application will be competitive, and we look forward to kicking off this important project and delivering a Brightline station to our residents, businesses and visitors,” said Sarah Heard, Chair, Martin County Board of County Commissioners. “Increased mobility options will provide significant benefits to our county and region.”
According to the Martin County Tourist Development Council, more than 1.5 million people from Central and South Florida visit Martin County each year via automobile. With Brightline stations conveniently located in Orlando and five South Florida cities, intercity passenger rail will be a viable and comfortable way to travel to and from Martin County. The project received significant and widespread support from downtown business, the county-wide business community and residents.
“Brightline is thankful to the Martin County Board of County Commissioners for having the leadership and vision as well as the many residents and local business owners who supported the project,” said Brian Kronberg, SVP of Development and Construction for Brightline. “We are hopeful this grant will be awarded so that the Treasure Coast can benefit from a new Brightline station and gain a new transportation option that will easily and efficiently transport residents and visitors.”
The total project cost is estimated to be $60 million, and Martin County will contribute up to $15 million. It is anticipated the station will open in 2028.
Residents are encouraged to visit www.martin.fl.us, Martin County’s online resource for services, news and information, and connect with us on social media. Follow us on X, (formerly known as Twitter) Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube Channel.
2025 Florida Ranches Calendar on Sale Now
Palm City – Just in time for the holiday season, the highly anticipated 2025 Florida Ranches Calendar is now available for purchase as the perfect holiday gift for anyone who appreciates the natural beauty of authentic “Old Florida.”
“We are delighted to be celebrating 20 years of the Florida Ranches Calendar! This legacy edition brings together captivating images and compelling stories that offer a glimpse into the lives and landscapes of Florida's ranchers,” explains Stacy Weller Ranieri, President and Founder of the Firefly Group, the marketing and public relations firm that publishes the calendar.
The calendar was first introduced in 2005 to be used as an educational tool to raise public awareness about the critical importance of ranching to the state’s economy and the role ranching families play as Florida’s oldest environmental stewards. It was a collaboration between the Florida Cattlemen’s Association and Carlton Ward Jr.
Carlton Ward Jr., an eighth-generation Floridian and National Geographic Explorer, is founder of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Campaign and Wildpath and uses photojournalism to create stories and campaigns to inspire conservation of Florida’s nature lands.
The first calendar featured photographs from Carlton as well as Florida ranch icon Alto “Bud” Adams, Jr. who passed in 2017. Carlton then served as the primary photographer for the next 15 years. An annual photography contest was launched several years ago to include photos from multiple perspectives. Recently, members of Carlton’s team at Wildpath have been capturing many of the images featured in the calendar.
Through it all, the Firefly Group has served as the quarterback and publisher of the calendar.
The importance of cattle ranches for conserving Florida could not be clearer than in the 2025 calendar. Most of the ranches featured are newly protected by conservation easements funded by the...Click here for more information.