Central Florida Regional Planning Council

Central Florida Regional Planning Council

Serving DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee and Polk Counties

Plan Underway to Support Compatible Land Use Surrounding the Avon Park Air Force Range

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Staff Sgts. Eric Braddock, left, and Ryan Onely prepare Capt. Nicholas Morgans for a medical evacuation during a training mission at Avon Park Air Force Range, Fla., Dec. 13, 2012.

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An aircrew flying an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter helped extract the Airmen. Braddock and Onely are both 38th Rescue Squadron pararescuemen and Morgan is a 38th RQS combat rescue officer. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jamal D. Sutter)

As the largest bombing and gunnery range east of the Mississippi River, the APAFR plays an essential role in training the men and women that defend our nation. Located in central Florida, the APAFR’s 106,000 acres provide a vital training facility for active duty, guard, and reserve military units from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard.

The Compatible Use Plan will serve as an update to the Joint Land Use Study, completed in 2010. This effort will provide an opportunity for the seven local governments of Highlands, Okeechobee, Osceola, and Polk Counties and the Cities of Avon Park, Frostproof, and Sebring to work together over the next 18 months to promote civilian development compatible with the Range’s continued operation. The goals remain the provision of public safety, identification of appropriate regulatory and non-regulatory measures, increased communication and cooperation, the protection of range capabilities, and local collaboration encouragement.

For more information about the Compatible Use Plan, contact Jennifer Codo-Salisbury at the Central Florida Regional Planning Council at (863) 534-7130.

CARES Act Funding Boosts 5-County Coronavirus Response

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $400,000 in CARES Act Funding to Boost Economic Development Programs Critical to Helping 5-County Central Florida Region Respond to Coronavirus:

WASHINGTON, July 7, 2020 – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $400,000 CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to the Central Florida Regional Planning Council, Bartow, Florida, to update economic development plans and fortify programs to assist communities in responding to the coronavirus pandemic.

“The Trump Administration is eager to allocate these essential CARES Act funds and deliver on our promise to help American communities recover from the impact of COVID-19,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “I am proud of the perseverance and strength shown by our communities coast to coast throughout this pandemic, and these funds will help provide Central Florida with the necessary resources to make a swift and lasting economic comeback.”

“This investment comes at a crucial time to help Florida’s and our nation’s economy come roaring back and provide hard-working Americans with new opportunities,” said Dana Gartzke, Performing the Delegated Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “We are pleased to make this investment in the Central Florida Regional Planning Council to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by hiring additional staff needed to develop and implement strategies to aid in economic recovery and resiliency.”

Central Florida Regional Planning Council, an EDA-designated Economic Development District (EDD), is one of the more than 850 existing, high-performing EDA EDD, University Center, Tribal, and Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) grant recipients invited to apply for supplemental funding under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The CARES Act, signed into law by President Donald J. Trump, provides EDA with $1.5 billion for economic development assistance programs to help communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus pandemic.

On May 7, Secretary Ross announced that EDA is accepting applications for CARES Act Recovery Assistance funding opportunities.

EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance, which is being administered under the authority of the bureau’s flexible Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) (PDF) program, provides a wide-range of financial assistance to communities and regions as they respond to and recover from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. For complete information, please visit our recently updated EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance page.

 

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.

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Florida Transportation Plan – Update

The Vision Element, the first of four elements that will be the Florida Transportation Plan (FTP), is complete and available for download at www.floridatransportationplan.com. The FTP is a collaborative effort with input from several industry partners and the public through Florida’s Long-Range Visioning Session, the Steering Committee, three subcommittees partner presentations, meetings, webinars, and briefings. These varied perspectives ensure this will be a transportation plan for all of Florida.