Community Overview:

Hardee County is a predominantly rural county with 80.2% of its total acres currently being utilized for agricultural, vacant, or undeveloped land. In 1996, over 14,800 migrant farm-workers and their families resided in the county and in need of affordable housing and services. The Hardee County Economic Development Office was formed to create economic and population growth in the county and strengthen infrastructure. Lack of adequate housing for low-to-moderate income families, low wages, high unemployment, and lack of industry all plague this county. In 1990, 22.8% of the population was living below the poverty level. As a result, many residents seek employment outside the county.

Strategic Plan Highlights:  

With the implementation of its strategic plan, the Hardee County Economic Development Council seeks to achieve a balance in economic and sustainable community development. They plan to:

• Economic Development - Increase economy by developing or sustaining jobs, creating a business park, and offering low income business loans to minorities;
• Infrastructure - Refurbish the downtown and upgrade the water/sewer plant to meet safety and growth needs;
• Housing - Rehabilitate existing substandard housing, develop multi-unit-housing complexes for farm laborers, and low income residents;

• Education - Offer tutoring, mentoring, and literacy programs for non-English speakers.

Partnerships include:

• The City of Wauchula;

• The City of Bowling Green;

• The Town of Zolfo Springs;

• The Hardee County School Board;

• South Florida Community College;

• Wauchula Airport Authority;

• Florida Jobs and Benefits; and,

• Main Street of Wauchula.

Leveraging:

The Hardee County Economic Development Office has identified a range of organizations at the federal, state, and local level for fund, technical assistance, and in-kind contributions. Current leveraging figures  include:

• In-kind land donation for the development of an adjunct education facility;

•  State grant and loan to purchase and develop a 52-unit farm-worker housing complex;

• EPA grant of $150,000 to refurbish a sewer plant;

• CDBG-ED grant of $750,000 to improve infrastructure for public growth and business diversity;

• Technical assistance and training to teach small business and entrepreneurs to increase their operation survivability rate. A Super Wal-Mart opened and several new businesses started as well as a new power plant.

Community Involvement:

Several county and city organizations and an appointed Industrial Development Authority meet regularly to review the strategic plan. These meetings combined with a bi-weekly county Commissioner Board meeting provide a mechanism for community involvement and key leadership input focusing on community growth, development, and economic diversity.

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