Goals

Proposed Plan
Goals and Objectives

The purpose of the City of Okeechobee Economic Development and Disaster Resiliency Plan is to measure the City’s progress against goals, identify strategies and activities that would benefit from increased stakeholders support and to use the plan to bring together its assets, resources and organizations to overcome existing challenges and work in collaboration. The Plan will serve as a road map for action based on current economic conditions and available resources.

The Plan is founded upon seven goals.  The goals will guide the City’s future public investment and policy decisions in order to provide greater disaster resiliency and generate economic growth while supporting and strengthening local businesses and increasing the numbers of jobs.

Goals and Strategies

The purpose of the City of Fort Meade Economic Development and Disaster Resiliency Plan is to measure the City’s progress against goals, identify strategies and activities that would benefit from increased stakeholders support and to use the plan to bring together its assets, resources and organizations to overcome existing challenges and work in collaboration. The Plan will serve as a road map for action based on current economic conditions and available resources.

The Plan is founded on seven goals.  The goals will guide the City’s future public investment and policy decisions in order to provide greater disaster resiliency and generate economic growth while supporting and strengthening local businesses and increasing the numbers of jobs.

Goal 1: Support and Expand Opportunities for Existing Local and New Businesses  

  • Establish and expand partnerships between the local business community and community/civic organizations to support the City’s economic development efforts.
  • Investigate funding opportunities to assist new and existing local businesses.
  • Develop social media campaigns and community events highlighting local businesses.
  • Increase collaboration with local, County, and regional economic development organizations, Main Street Programs, Chambers of Commerce, and other Stakeholder organizations.
  • Collaborate with traditional and new partners to bring new businesses to the City.
  • Investigate incentive opportunities for new businesses and retention of existing businesses.
  • Investigate a business incubator program using underutilized City-owned spaces.
  • Develop and implement a citywide marketing plan to encourage existing business to invest in expansions and to attract new businesses.
  • Consider developing Fast Track permit review processes.
  • Coordinate with Florida Department of Transportation and the Polk Transportation Planning Organization and other relevant government agencies to expand and enhance the overall transportation network in Fort Meade to provide improved access to commercial and industrial locations.
  • Maintain an inventory of developable industrial land free of significant development constraints to accommodate new development.
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Goal 2: Support Opportunities for the Future Workforce

  • Increase support for the provision of stronger K-12 education, vocational programs, workforce training and retraining, higher education, and other programs that meet the needs of businesses, employees, and residents.
  • Develop and maintain a partnership with Polk State College and local businesses to implement job and education fairs.
  • Encourage partnerships with local businesses to develop and implement training and internship programs.
  • Encourage development of a mix of housing types to meet the needs of the community’s workforce Implement regular communication and collaboration with representatives of educational institutions and workforce development organizations.
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Goal 3: Support Fort Meade’s Outdoor Adventure and Historic Tourism

  • Consider formation of a Special Events Committee to develop new community events and promote existing events.
  • Investigate the possibilities for repurposing of buildings in downtown
  • Create a Historic Downtown Map to be linked to various websites and historical forums for use by visitors and residents.
  • Coordinate with Visit Central Florida and develop a video storytelling of Fort Meade.
  • Market and publicize special events and recreational opportunities through social media platforms and the City website as well as stakeholder and partner websites and social media pages.
  • Consider using Florida Story to create a walking tour of downtown.
  • Develop wayfinding or locational signage for areas of interest.
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Goal 4: Support Quality of Life

  • Support and maintain recreational amenities, areas, and opportunities including walkable neighborhoods, playgrounds, and parks.
  • Encourage new development that includes aesthetic quality and safety features.
  • Consider creation of a Revitalization Committee to address property maintenance and improvements and effective code enforcement policies.
  • Encourage development of affordable housing options.
  • Foster civic and cultural activities and events.
  • Partner with economic development and other organizations to promote City amenities, events, recreational opportunities, and downtown businesses
  • Explore grant funding to improve and expand neighborhood amenities
  • Encourage location of fresh food, dining, and retail establishments to provide a community supported economy
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Goal 5: Celebrate the Peace River by promoting Fort Meade as a destination location

  • Promote Ecotourism
  • Promote existing events and create new special events in the City.
  • Adopt and implement Parks & Recreation Master Plan
  • Implement branding
  • Partner with Visit Florida to promote the City of Fort Meade.
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Goal 6: Fund Strategic Public Investment

  • Ensure and evaluate availability of infrastructure to support new businesses.
  • Continue communication and coordination with the state and federal agencies for new updates and opportunities
  • Review sidewalks network and parking challenges.
  • Explore grant funding opportunities for capital infrastructure improvements
  • Support the FDOT “Complete Streets” and “Context Classification” programs to improve roadway conditions serving properties along the corridors
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Goal 7: Emphasize strategies the City and its partners will take to ensure that Fort Meade is equipped to address current and future challenges

  • Educate and engage residents around risk reduction and preparedness so they can be self-sufficient for at least seven to 14 days after a major shock.
  • Develop additional pathways to employment and the delivery of financial literacy tools to support our most vulnerable residents.
  • Cultivate leadership, stewardship, and equity with young residents.
  • Build social cohesion and increase preparedness through community collaboration.
  • Increase programs and partnerships that foster welcoming neighborhoods.
  • Reduce health and wellness disparities across neighborhoods.
  • Integrate resilience principles into government to prioritize our most vulnerable people, places, and systems.
  • Equip government with technology and data to increase situational awareness and expedite post-disaster recovery.
  • Provide safe and affordable housing for all residents.
  • Restore and rebuild Fort Meade’s infrastructure.
  • Foster a healthy and connected Peace River system.
  • Strengthen regional systems and fortify critical infrastructure.
  • Grow public, private, and philanthropic partnerships that will increase resources dedicated to building resilience.
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