Serving DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee and Polk Counties

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

Your ideas and comments are needed to plan for the future vitality and redevelopment of the City of Bartow!

Bartow Residents, please join us on October 1, 2013 at 6:30pm at
The Polk Street Center (1255 W Polk St) for a Public Visioning Meeting.

The Bartow Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is currently in the process of updating its CRA Plan. The purpose of this visioning meeting is to identify new and updated strategies to encourage successful redevelopment within the CRA. For additional information, please contact Eric Labbe of the Central Florida Regional Planning Council at (863) 534-7130, ext. 106 or at elabbe@cfrpc.org. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), anyone who needs a special accommodation to participate in this visioning meeting should notify the Bartow CRA at (863) 534-0100 at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled meeting.

The Central Florida Regional Planning Council, based in Bartow, Florida received two 2013 Innovation Awards from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Research Foundation for the Florida Heartland Energy Baseline and Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Heartland Brownfields Revitalization Partnership – Mulberry Health Clinic projects.

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Tuesday, August 6, 2013
5:00pm – 7:30pm at Zolfo Springs Town Hall

Join us for a Public Community Visioning Workshop about the Zolfo Springs Downtown.

The goal of this workshop is to determine the downtown planning area and to hear what the Zolfo Springs community identifies as key strengths and opportunities for Zolfo Springs. Joing us at the Zolfo Springs Town Hall (3210 US Highways 17 South, Zolfo Springs, Florida) from 5:00pm – 7:30pm on Tuesday, August 6, 2013. For additional information, please contact Marisa Barmby at 863-534-7130 ext. 110 or by email at mbarmby@cfrpc.org. This meeting is hosted in partnership by the Town of Zolfo Springs and the Central Florida Regional Planning Council.

Bartow CRA Public Visioning Meeting
July 25, 2013 at 8:00am, Bartow City Hall, City Commission Chambers

Your ideas and comments are needed to plan for the future economic growth and viability of the City of Bartow!

The Bartow Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is currently in the process of updating its CRA Plan.  The purpose of this visioning meeting is to identify new and updated strategies to encourage successful redevelopment within the CRA.  For additional information, please contact Eric Labbe of the Central Florida Regional Planning Council at (863) 534-7130, ext. 106 or at elabbe@cfrpc.org . In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), anyone who needs a special accommodation to participate in this visioning meeting should notify the Bartow CRA at (863) 534-0100 at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled meeting.

Your input is needed!

Bartow, FL (April 12, 2012) – The Florida Chamber Foundation recently announced that all 11 of Florida’s Regional Planning Council’s (RPCs) have completed their Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS) using the Foundation’s Six Pillars framework and will become the Foundation’s strategic partners in demonstrating the value of the Six Pillars across the state. Designated as federal economic development districts, the RPCs promote economic development throughout the state in partnership with local economic development organizations and the business community.  The CEDS completed by the Central Florida Regional Planning Council, based in Bartow, is available on the organization’s website, http://www.cfrpc.org/download/publications/CEDS_2012.pdf.

The CEDS plans are completed with a five-year horizon and are a requirement of the U.S. Economic Development Administration, elevating the Six Pillars from a statewide effort to the federal level. The Six Pillars offer a framework for local chambers of commerce, economic development organizations and other community leadership groups to facilitate long-term planning while focusing on short-term action. Statewide organizations such as the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Workforce Florida, Florida Association of Counties, VISIT FLORIDA and the Department of Economic Opportunity are all utilizing the Six Pillars as a collaborative tool to move their efforts forward. The RPCs will join the ranks of these state partners, and the counties of Jackson, Palm Beach and Broward counties whom have all adopted the Six Pillars as well.

“The RPCs partnership with the business community is fundamental for Florida’s economic success,” said Bentina Terry, Vice President at Gulf Power and Chair of the Florida Chamber Foundation. “Their adoption of the Six Pillars clearly shows that the RPCs understand the importance of that partnership and the value of the Six Pillars in aligning our efforts.”

As stewards of economic growth across Florida, the RPCs clearly understand that alignment with the business community will strengthen their economic development efforts and foster more opportunities for the entire state, including rural areas. The RPCs will play a strong role in the next phase of the Chamber Foundation’s Six Pillars Community program in their respective regions, impacting the entire state of Florida.

“The Heartland region has great opportunity to expand logistics and trade, life science and healthcare, and the emerging energy economy. Working together with the business community, and with the alignment of local, regional, state and federal strategies brings us new options to bring jobs to our region, said Pat Steed, Executive Director of the Central Florida Regional Planning Council.”

“The Foundation looks forward to working with the RPCs,” said Tony Carvajal, Executive Vice President of the Florida Chamber Foundation. “Every community and corner of the state now has a strong partner and friend working to ensure they grow and prosper.”

The RPCs will become an official Six Pillars Community at their June Policy Board Meeting being held in conjunction with the Florida Association of Counties Annual Conference.

“I congratulate the RPCs on the completion of their CEDS plans focused on the Six Pillars of Florida’s future,” said Mark Wilson, President & CEO of the Florida Chamber. “Not only does this show the power of the Six Pillars at the state level, but the federal level will be able to see the good work taking place in Florida through the RPCs.”

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