Serving DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee and Polk Counties

A Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is an ongoing planning process that requires participation and input from both the public and private sectors, along with the communities of a region. The CEDS is updated every five years through a comprehensive planning process that addresses the needs of the entire region. The EDD staff ensures that private, public, and community interests are represented in the composition of the CEDS Committee. The CEDS was recently updated and adopted on 8/9/17.

The CEDS performs the following functions:

  • Analyzes regional economy & guides regional goals & objectives.
  • Creates a road map to economic diversity through private sector investment and job creation.
  • Serves as vehicle to justify and draw down federal funds.
  • Identifies key investments, opportunities, and projects in the region
  • Identifies target clusters for the region

The CEDS is designed to guide economic growth by fostering a more stable and diversified economy, to assist in the creation of jobs, and thereby improve the quality of life in Desoto, Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee, and Polk counties.

CEDS 2017
Summary

CEDS 2017 Summary cover

CEDS 2017
Data Document

CEDS 2017 Data Document cover

A copy of the Draft Highlands County Parks and Recreation Master Plan is now available!
View the Highlands County Draft Parks & Rec Master Plan

For additional information on the Community Workshops and the Highlands County Parks and Recreation Master Plan, please visit the project website located at http://www.cfrpc.org/highlandsparksandrec/ or contact Susan BuChans or Jennifer Codo-Salisbury using the information below.

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The Heartland Regional Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO) serving DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands and Okeechobee Counties is pleased to present the draft Public Participation Plan for a public comment period. The 45 day comment period will end on August 15, 2015. The HRTPO welcomes all comments on the proposed Public Participation Plan.

View the HRTPO Draft Public Participation Plan

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The goal of the FHEA is to undertake a regional scale analysis in order to gain a full picture of regional equity and access to housing opportunity. The end result of this regional scale analysis is to understand the historical, current, and future context for equity and opportunity in the region and to integrate knowledge developed through the regional FHEA exercise into the strategy development process.

View the Draft Fair Housing and Equity Addessment