SEBRING – Businesses in Highlands County that want to add employees in 2008 might be able to tap into a fund that will offset some of the cost. The Highlands County Economic Development Trust Fund was established by the county commission in 2006 to support the economic development goals of the county and to mitigate the possible negative effect of impact fees, which were initiated in January of this year. The program is designed to support the expansion of existing industry as well as the recruitment of new industry to the county. To be eligible, companies must meet certain criteria that include meeting minimum average wage requirements for new as well as existing employees and creating a minimum number of new jobs. Companies meeting the guidelines may receive $500 per new job with a maximum program benefit of $50,000 for each company. ...more

December 23, 2007

It appears the Highlands County Commission is going to step up and do something good to support our troops who have been serving in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. It's a wonderful gesture and sure to help any local soldiers who have been serving their country and placing themselves in danger. If approved – and it appears it will be – any soldiers who have served in a combat role will receive a $75 per month stipend, for every month they serve in combat, from the county, which could mean an extra $900 per year depending on amount of time. Commissioners are considering this instead of giving a property tax break, which would only benefit troops who own homes. Veterans officials suggested making it a stipend for all combat soldiers, instead of just property owners, since so many of the troops in harms way are young and just getting started with their lives. Some other Florida counties are offering the property tax rebate, but Highlands County would be one of three counties offering stipends. ...more

December 21, 2007

SEBRING — The town of Lake Placid wants $2.7 million for a new water plant. ...more

December 6, 2007

SEBRING — The Highlands County Legislative Delegation will hold its annual meeting and public hearing from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5 at the Highlands County Commission chambers, 600 S. Commerce. "This hearing is specifically designed to encourage the public to personally address their legislators on their concerns and issues involving state government," said Sen. J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales. ...more

December 2, 2007

SEBRING — Here's the upshot of Tuesday's Highlands County Commission meeting: the Thunderbird Hills South wastewater treatment plant has operated without a Department of Environmental Protection permit since 2001, it needs hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of repairs, and by January, Highlands County may be forced by state law to take over. ...more

November 21, 2007

SEBRING –– The Highlands County Tourist Development Council favors retaining the operation of the tourism program as it is and asking the county to advertise for a director to replace Jim Brantley. The council spent about two hours Thursday discussing options and receiving input from the public concerning the future of the county's tourism program. Since the council is an advisory board to the Highlands County Commission, it can only make recommendations. The county commission will make the final decision. The recommendation is expected to come before the board in December. County Administrator Carl Cool, who attended the workshop, said the tourist council wants to review a proposed job description for the director at its next meeting, which is scheduled for Dec. 6. If the council approves the description, the item could be on the Dec. 11 commission agenda. ...more

November 2, 2007

The Highlands County Tourist Development Council will hold a workshop – perhaps the most important session in two years – today in Sebring. ...more

November 1, 2007

SEBRING – The Highlands County Tourist Development Council will consider three options in deciding how to replace former Tourism Director Jim Brantley during a workshop on Nov. 1. The workshop will begin at 8:15 a.m. in Room 3 at the Highlands County Agri-Civic Center, located at the corner of U.S. 27 and George Boulevard, in Sebring. Brantley left the position in September, but is continuing to work as a consultant for the county. The council will make a recommendation to the Highlands County Commission. The commission will make the final decision on how the council will be run. Before he departed, Brantley and Highlands County Administrator Carl Cool talked about the situation and came up with a suggestion. However, it was not presented as a recommendation from either Brantley or Cool. ...more

October 28, 2007

SEBRING – When asked about impact fees, Wayne Gourley's response likely echoed the opinion of many in construction as well as some outside of the industry. "If their purpose is to slow down growth they came up with a heck of a good plan," said Gourley, the owner of Gourley Plastering. The Highlands County Commission began collecting impact fees — charges on new residential, industrial and commercial buildings for things such as roads and schools – this year. The commission voted last week to raise the fees at 30 percent of their recommended level in 2008 – a 5-percent increase from the 25 percent rate now in effect. ...more

September 16, 2007