Serving DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee and Polk Counties

The Heartland Rural Mobility Plan (HRMP) was designed to identify and address the mobility challenges within a six-county rural area in south central Florida designated as a Rural Area of Critical Economic Concern (RACEC).  These areas are defined as rural communities, or a region composed of rural communities, that have been adversely affected by extraordinary economic events or natural disasters, and are established by the Governor through an executive order.  The HRMP study area includes the six counties of DeSotoGladesHardeeHendryHighlands and Okeechobee and the four communities of Belle GladeSouth BayPahokee, and Immokalee all within the RACEC area.  The study area encompasses more than 5,000 square miles of land area and approximately 300,000 people.

DART Bus

The comprehensive planning effort that was developed around 5 major goals:

  • Promote mobility within the Heartland region.
  • Support the Region’s economic development opportunities.
  • Provide coordination between the Region’s land use development and promotion of smart growth.
  • Promote mobility from the Heartland to other regional destinations.
  • Coordinate regional mobility governance, planning and funding.

The HRMP is designed to be a comprehensive multi-jurisdictional planning effort that identifies goals and objectives to serve as the guide for the development and evaluation of mobility options for the region.  The HRMP includes an extensive regional mobility needs assessment and public participation plan; outlines a strategic approach to meeting the mobility needs of the area; provides a sound business foundation for the resulting mobility program; and includes a finance and implementation plan, while addressing the mobility needs of the Heartland area especially within an economic development and land use framework.  CFRPC staffs the ongoing Heartland Rural Mobility project in cooperation with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District One.

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