Central Florida Regional Planning Council

Central Florida Regional Planning Council

Serving DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee and Polk Counties

Latest News

$300,000 EDA Grant Awarded to Support Growth of Aviation Industry in Polk & Highlands Counties

Aviation and aerospace industry development in Polk and Highlands counties recently received a boost when the Central Florida Regional Planning Council (CFRPC) was awarded a $300,000 U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Disaster Supplemental Grant.

The impact from Hurricane Irma on Polk and Highlands counties added to challenges faced due to the region’s lack of economic diversification and low wages and highlighted the need to bring in more resilient and higher wage jobs. “Aviation was identified as an emerging industry in the most recent five-year regional economic development plan for Highlands and Polk County and so this grant opportunity from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) is coming to us at the perfect time. It will allow us to foster the growth of the aviation industry, diversifying the economy and providing stable long-term job growth” stated Executive Director of the CFRPC, Pat Steed.

Highlands County Development Services Director, Benjamin Dunn stated, “This grant is an excellent opportunity to continue Highlands County’s efforts to diversify our economy and enhance job possibilities in the aviation sector. This work will support other grants we are developing in partnership with the CFRPC which will provide strategic economic vision as we look to the future.”

The CFRPC will use the grant funds to develop an Aviation Action Plan that will support the growth of the aviation industry in Polk and Highlands counties through the identification of the region’s assets and opportunities and build on those assets while creating a collaborative network to support the growth of the aviation industry. Guiding the plan will be an Aviation Task Force, including local and regional partners in aviation, economic development, and education.

President of the Winter Haven Economic Development Council, Bruce Lyon, sees great potential in focusing on the emerging aviation and aerospace industries in Polk and Highlands communities. “With the right strategic planning and cooperative relationships between airports, economic development organizations, and private industry, we look forward to a plan that will facilitate economic resiliency in the region and provide more stable, high wage jobs.”

For more information, contact the Central Florida Regional Planning Council at 863-534-7130

 

Pat Huff Honored at Council Meeting for 18 Years of Service

Former City of Bartow Commissioner Pat Huff was honored for his more than 18 years of service and significant contributions to the Central Florida Regional Planning Council (CFRPC) on June 13, 2018, in Lake Wales at Warner University at the June Council Meeting.

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Commissioner Huff began his tenure in 2000 and served as Chairman of the Council from 2011 through 2014. During that time the CFRPC celebrated their 40th anniversary. He served on subcommittees including the Finance Committee, the Executive Director Search Committee in 2005 (Chairman), the Nomination Committee, and the Executive Committee. For nine years Commissioner Huff represented the Central Florida region as a member of the statewide Florida Regional Councils Association (FRCA) Policy Board and was President of the organization in 2014-2015.

“Commissioner Pat Huff has been a true ambassador for the services and programs of the CFRPC that promote regional collaboration in the cities and counties of Polk, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, and Okeechobee” stated CFRPC Executive Director Patricia Steed. “His leadership of the CFRPC, and statewide through FRCA, has been invaluable. He will be missed by all.”

Commissioner Huff was presented with a plaque on behalf of the Council at his farewell Commission meeting in Bartow on May 7, 2018, and a framed picture signed by Council member and staff.

Pat Huff thanked the Council members and stated, “It’s been a pleasure and an honor to serve on the Central Florida Regional Planning Council for all these years. Very shortly after I was elected to the Bartow City Commission I learned about the Regional Planning Council and it made a lot of sense to me to look at the region as a whole and I’ve been here since.” He shared he would miss his fellow Council Members and the staff, however he looks forward to the opportunity to travel with his wife.

CFRPC April 2018 Meeting Highlights

Highlights from the April 11, 2018  CFRPC Council Meeting

Hardee County Activities Report

  • Lex Albritton, Hardee County Administrator, highlighted a number of improvements to the county including new housing options, a new fire station, an economic development project that provides fresh vegetables to the community, roadway and water improvements, and the opening of the newly constructed hospital in Wauchula.

Supplemental 5310 Transit Funds for Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities

  • The CFRPC has received a supplemental allocation of $400,000 from the Federal Transit Administration for the Hardee, Highlands, and Okeechobee Counties Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) coordinated system which will provide services to senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
  • MOTION: To accept Resolution 2018-3A granting authority for the Executive Director to receive and administer the supplemental 5310 funds, carried unanimously.

Transfer of Transportation Disadvantaged Designated Official Planning Agency (DOPA) Responsibilities

    • An update on the Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) program Designated Official Planning Agency (DOPA) responsibilities was provided. The Heartland Regional Transportation Planning Organization will become the designated planning agency for the TD program for DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, and Okeechobee Counties on July 1, 2018. A request to form a 4-County Service Area and Local Coordinating Board for DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, and Okeechobee will be considered by Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged in May.

Heartland Regional Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO) Update

  • Staff continues its work on the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), which is a document that outlines all HRTPO activities and budget for the next two years. It is scheduled for adoption by the HRTPO Board on April 18, 2018.
  • The 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) which was adopted in 2016 is currently in the process of being amended to include all the work completed since its original adoption.
  • The Mobility Advisory Committee is being reconvened to work with FDOT and the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) on the Heartland Rural Mobility Plan (HRMP) update. The committee is scheduled to meet on April 18, 2018.

Competitive Florida Grants

Audit Engagement Letter

  • CliftonLarsenAllen has prepared terms of engagement for audit services for the FY 2017-18 CFRPC audit of financial statements of governmental activities.
  • MOTION: To approve the Audit Engagement Letter as presented carried unanimously.

Housing Issues in the Region

  • Housing is an increasing concern in the region in both urban and rural areas. Demographics including median ages, median home values, and median household incomes for each of the five counties as well as for the State were presented. View the presentation. 
  • Council members discussed and shared their local experiences and concerns regarding housing availability and affordability and how it affects the region’s employers and workforce.

Executive Director’s Report

The next meeting of the CFRPC will be at 9:30 am on June 13, 2018, in Lake Wales at Warner University.

View the Council Meeting Documents page for Agendas, Minutes, Presentations and upcoming meeting information.

CFRPC February 2018 Meeting Highlights

Highlights from the February 14, 2018  CFRPC Council Meeting

DeSoto County Activities Report

  • FPL opened the final phase of DeSoto County’s solar plant north of Arcadia, expanding the solar farm to a total of 750,000 solar panels.
  • The newly constructed Mosaic Rodeo Arena will be open for the Arcadia Rodeo beginning March 8 and will seat up to 8,000.

Government in the Sunshine

Transfer Of Transportation Disadvantaged Designated Official Planning Agency Responsibilities

  • Staff recommends that the six-county Transportation Disadvantaged Designated Offical Planning Agency responsibilities be transferred to the Heartland Regional Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO) per Chapter 427, F.S. and Rule 41-2.009 F.A.C.
  • MOTION: To accept Resolution 2018-2A supporting the transfer of the Transporation Disadvantage planning services for DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, and Okeechobee to the Heartland Regional Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO) as of July 1, 2018, carried unanimously.

Report For The Heartland Regional Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO)

  • The HRTPO has prepared a draft Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) which outlines the tasks and work responsibilities to be carried out over the next two years, along with a budget for each work product.
  • The mandatory certification evaluation was completed by FDOT last month which will be presented to the HRTPO Board at their meeting on February 21, 2018. No new recommendations or corrective actions were identified.
  • Proposed transportation projects were submitted by the HRTPO local governments in January. Staff reviews each application and then transmits them to FDOT.

Emergency Management Contract

  • The Emergency Management Contract is reoccurring funding from the US Department of Transportation administered through the Florida Division of Emergency Management for Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness. This is an annual contract supporting hazardous materials emergency preparedness.
  • MOTION: To authorized the Chair to execute the Emergency Management Contract as presented and to authorize the Executive Director to administer the contract carried unanimously.

“Tiny Homes” Presentation

  • Integrating tiny homes into communities is a fast-growing planning issue. An overview of the emerging trend of “tiny homes” was provided, including how at least one jurisdiction in the region and several in the country are addressing the trend. View the presentation.

Post Disaster Recovery

  • The Council was awarded a grant from the Economic Development Administration to fund a position for a Post Disaster Recovery Coordinator for two years to identify and address key regional issues related to disruptions in its economy related to storms that create a loss of infrastructure and housing, prevents business from operating and destroys agriculture.
  • Two post-disaster workshops were held on February 15, 2018. At these workshops, representatives from US Economic Development Administration,  US Department of Agriculture, along with other Federal agencies; the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the SBDA, and other Florida agencies, joined the CFRPC staff and several other local economic development agencies, counties and cities in discussing recovery funding and strategies after Hurricane Irma and best practices for being more resilient to future disruptions to the Central Florida economy.​ View the presentation.

Executive Director’s Report

The next meeting of the CFRPC will be at 9:30 am on April 11, 2018, in Wauchula in the Hardee County Health Department.

View the Council Meeting Documents page for Agendas, Minutes, Presentations and upcoming meeting information.

Agencies Partner to Provide Economic Recovery and Resiliency Resources

Local, State, and Federal agencies partnered on February 15, 2018, to bring a training opportunity to the community leaders in Highlands and Polk Counties. The workshops emphasized best practices and resources for economic recovery following a disaster.

Hosted by the CFRPC in partnership with the Highlands Economic Development Commission, the Florida Small Business Development Center, and the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the event helped community leaders learn more what their role should be and how to prioritize actions for short and long-term recovery. Federal, state and IEDC officials presented information about state, federal and private sector resources that are available to assist. The interactive workshop provided participants with practical tools and inspiring examples to support critical economic recovery and long-term resiliency activities.

This workshop was one of several being conducted throughout the State in partnership with the Florida Regional Councils Association (FRCA), Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and federal partners, and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA).

South Florida Avenue Charrette and Master Plan Recognized with Award

The South Florida Avenue (SR 37) Charrette and Master Plan received the “Plan It Award” at the annual meeting of the Heart of Florida Section of the American Planning Association Florida Chapter on February 9, 2018. This award is given to planning documents, studies, reports, or analyses that reflect sound planning principles and that have been adopted by a public agency for use in a local jurisdiction.

The Florida Department of Transportation, District 1 (FDOT), in collaboration with the Central Florida Regional Planning Council, supported by the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council staff, and the City of Lakeland, entered into an agreement to study and implement ways to improve mobility, quality of life, and economic vitality along the South Florida Avenue (SR 37) corridor between Ariana Street and Pine Street in Lakeland, Florida.  A significant public involvement process, which included a “Complete Streets” public design charrette was conducted, and an economic development analysis and detailed traffic study on South Florida Avenue to assist FDOT in accomplishing the goal of promoting safety, quality of life, and economic development were prepared.  In addition, the Master Plan provides options and improvements that are market-based realities supported by the Market Overview which considers growth potential and impediments to housing, employment, and retail, as well as other factors.