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

December 6, 2007

SEBRING — Florida's Heartland Rural Economic Development Initiative completed a regional broadband study in the spring of 2007 that concluded the region is a strong candidate for the launch of a Rural Internet Service Provider. Jerry and Deanna Pollard of VistaNet are in the first phase of deploying a wireless broadband network in Hardee, Highlands and Okeechobee counties. Their plans are to extend the wireless network from coast to coast and into the Heartland. Jerry Pollard said "the feasibility study was a tremendous help in making this deployment of wireless broadband a reality." He described the study as a valuable tool in his decision making process. ...more

November 18, 2007

AVON PARK ? Shannon Peacock summed up in four words the reason small businesses may be hesitant about exporting their products: ?fear of the unknown.? Peacock?s fears were alleviated after he attended an exporting workshop earlier this month that was hosted by the Hardee County Economic Development Council, Hardee County Chamber of Commerce, Florida?s Heartland Rural Economic Development Initiative and the Florida Foreign Trade Association ?It was informative,? said Peacock, the plant manager for Bowsmith Irrigation Inc. in Avon Park. ?They laid everything out in a way that I could understand.? ...more

October 28, 2007

WAUCHULA – The Hardee County Economic Development Council, Hardee County Chamber of Commerce, Florida's Heartland Rural Economic Development Initiative and the Florida Foreign Trade Association will be hosting an exporting workshop Oct. 4 at the Heartland Workforce Hardee One-Stop Career Center from 8 to 11 a.m. The center is located at 205 Carlton St in Wauchula. The workshop is designed for company decision makers who are considering exporting or wanting to expand existing exports. Hardee County is hosting an inbound trade mission bringing foreign buyers from Peru to Hardee on Oct. 17 to spotlight business partnerships in the Heartland. ...more

September 23, 2007

SEBRING — Providing public transportation services has been identified as a top priority not only in Highlands, but also in Glades, Hardee and Okeechobee counties. Within two to four years, state and federal funding is expected to be available for services that could range from a bus system to a dial-a-ride service, car or van pooling and employer-run shuttles within the six-county Heartland region. Public comment on the transportation strategy being developed now –– the Heartland Mobility Plan –– is crucial, Lynn Topel said at Monday's meeting of the Highlands County Homeowners Association. ...more

September 11, 2007

SEBRING — Could bus service be launched in Highlands County, with connections to surrounding counties? What about a dial-a-ride program? Or organzed car- and van-pooling? Those and other transportation issues will be discussed at Monday's monthly meeting of the Highlands County Homeowners Assocation. ...more

September 8, 2007