On this episode of the Babcock Ranch Podcast, Syd Kitson welcomes former Florida State Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto, who represented Southwest Florida for a decade, served as Senate Majority Leader, and has played a direct role in bringing state funding and support to some of Babcock Ranch’s most important projects.

They trace her path from a young council member in Wellington to the State Senate, and the legislation she’s most proud of, including the Cancer Treatment Fairness Act, a life insurance bill that led to unclaimed policy payouts and was featured on 60 Minutes, and a law banning child marriage in Florida.

They walk through the projects her advocacy helped make possible at Babcock Ranch: funding for the All Abilities Park, the ICC 500-rated public storm shelter that housed thousands of residents during Hurricane Milton, a new Category 5-rated shelter now being built as part of the community’s autism center and Family Initiative, and a $32 million Wildlife Center opening next summer, tied to the broader Florida Wildlife Corridor that Babcock Ranch helped complete.

They close on what’s next, a nearly two-mile boardwalk connecting Midtown and Easttown, a planned senior center, and a new Art in Public Places initiative, and why Lizbeth says the greatest joy of her work now is helping good ideas go further than people initially imagined.

On this episode of the Babcock Ranch Podcast, Syd Kitson welcomes former Florida State Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto, who represented Southwest Florida for a decade, served as Senate Majority Leader, and has played a direct role in bringing state funding and support to some of Babcock Ranch&rsquo;s most important projects.
They trace her path from a young council member in Wellington to the State Senate, and the legislation she&rsquo;s most proud of, including the Cancer Treatment Fairness Act, a life insurance bill that led to unclaimed policy payouts and was featured on 60 Minutes, and a law banning child marriage in Florida.
They walk through the projects her advocacy helped make possible at Babcock Ranch: funding for the All Abilities Park, the ICC 500-rated public storm shelter that housed thousands of residents during Hurricane Milton, a new Category 5-rated shelter now being built as part of the community&rsquo;s autism center and Family Initiative, and a $32 million Wildlife Center opening next summer, tied to the broader Florida Wildlife Corridor that Babcock Ranch helped complete.
They close on what&rsquo;s next, a nearly two-mile boardwalk connecting Midtown and Easttown, a planned senior center, and a new Art in Public Places initiative, and why Lizbeth says the greatest joy of her work now is helping good ideas go further than people initially imagined.

What does it take to build a town from scratch - one that runs on sunshine, keeps the lights on through a Category 4 hurricane, and gives thousands of people a place they're proud to call home? Every week, Co-Hosts Syd and Tyler Kitson pull back the curtain on America’s first solar-powered town. Join them as they sit down with the leaders, innovators, and neighbors who transformed 18,000 acres of Southwest Florida ranchland into a pioneering community. Part origin story, part front-porch conversation, part inspiration, it's a candid look at the decisions, setbacks and breakthroughs behind a town that's built to be better. Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts - get inspired about what’s possible when you build with Mother Nature, not against her.

Visit babcockranch.com today

What does it take to build a town from scratch - one that runs on sunshine, keeps the lights on through a Category 4 hurricane, and gives thousands of people a place they're proud to call home? Every week, Co-Hosts Syd and Tyler Kitson pull back the curtain on America&rsquo;s first solar-powered town. Join them as they sit down with the leaders, innovators, and neighbors who transformed 18,000 acres of Southwest Florida ranchland into a pioneering community. Part origin story, part front-porch conversation, part inspiration, it's a candid look at the decisions, setbacks and breakthroughs behind a town that's built to be better. Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts - get inspired about what&rsquo;s possible when you build with Mother Nature, not against her.
Visit <a href="https://babcockranch.com/?utm_source=iheart&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=the-babcock-ranch-podcast">babcockranch.com</a> today

The Babcock Ranch Podcast

Be More Bold

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/98a2599f-cd9b-4f2a-9be4-b22c00e585f2/clips/42587ec0-bfd1-4bb7-8f49-b4ee00fb0c39/transcript