All is set for the Christmas in Okeechobee Initiative.
Okeechobee City Council after some debate agreed to allow the lights to be switched on in Flagler Park on Nov. 13.
The city will still hold its annual lighting ceremony on Dec. 2 in City Hall Park.
Supporters said having the lights on will help local businesses. They will be lit until Jan. 13.
The goal is to have more businesses open at night downtown, attract more shoppers, and improve commerce.
The Okeechobee Tourist Development Council, private donors, the Altobello Family Trust, and the city all provided funding for the two year lighting project.
Vice Mayor Monica Clark was reluctant to light the lights early stating the city has a tradition. She suggested a compromise of lighting them Thanksgiving week.
Kristy Culbreath said a lot of people are looking forward to seeing these lights and will help people in some tough economic times.
County Commissioner Frank DeCarlo was glad there will be a nativity scene in the park to mark the real reason for Christmas.
Our congressman Scott Franklin said he sees improvement in the economy coming even though the federal government remains shutdown.
He noted gas prices are going down and he expects grocery prices to also decline. He said once the new federal energy policies kick in, the economy will improve.
The Rural and Family Lands program has gained in popularity. 428 projects are up for purchase and or conservation easements this year.
The state department of agriculture is asking for $250 million in funding for the program in 2026.
The value of the lands on the list is $1.75 billion.
John Fraides with FDACS said they received 150 to 200 more applicants this year. The state expects to be able to fund between 50 and 75 properties this year.
Okeechobee has several ranches up for consideration.
Ranchers argue that more and more acreage is at risk for development in Florida and needs to be conserved.
Florida governor Ron Desantis and other dignitaries broke ground on the pump station at the EAA reservoir in South Bay Thursday.
It marked the 80 significant event, either a groundbreaking or ribbon cutting, related to Everglades Restoration since DeSantis took office in 2019.
DeSantis said the reservoir will store 78 billion gallons of water.
He noted they have now removed 1.8 million pounds of nitrogen and 770,000 pounds of phosphorus from Florida waterways since he took office.
He added they are sending more water south and have been able to increase the state’s water storage by 176 billion gallons.