Winter Haven Mayor Pro Tem Nathaniel Birdsong welcomed the Council to Winter Haven and to The AdventHealth Fieldhouse & Conference Center.  The facility recently underwent a major renovation, making it a $25 million recreational complex funded by the City of Winter Haven and the Polk County Tourist Development tax.

CFRPC Program Highlights and Regional ROI

Council staff highlighted CFRPC programs and projects from FY 2019-2020, the Florida Regional Council’s Annual Report, and the regional Return on Investment (ROI), sharing that each dollar of member assessment leverages $15 of other funds.

Technical Assistance Grant Updates

The CFRPC assists local governments in applying for and administering State of Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) Competitive Florida Partnership Grants and Community Planning Technical Assistance Grants.

Resolutions to apply for Technical Assistance Grants to support local governments in the Heartland region for FY 2021/22 carried unanimously.

Update on the Heartland Regional Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO) 

• The 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) was adopted on March 10, 2021.
• The Unified Planning Work Program was recently amended.
• Learn more about the Heartland Regional Transportation Planning Organization.

Rural Transit Grant Programs 

The CFRPC administers rural transit grants for DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, and Okeechobee Counties to support the Transportation Disadvantaged program. The CFRPC also owns and manages a fleet of vehicles used in the Transportation Disadvantaged program and is responsible for the Mobility Management in the Heartland region, including Glades and Hendry Counties.

• Resolutions to support the rural transit and mobility programs presented carried unanimously.

Executive Director’s Report

A legislative update, a federal update, and the monthly activity report from the Florida Regional Councils Association (FRCA) were shared.

• The Florida Senate 2021 Bill Summaries
• Florida House of Representatives Bills for Regular Session 2021

The next meeting of the CFRPC will be on June 10, 2021 at 9:30 AM at the Sebring Civic Center.