FINAL Document 1/23/2013 - Hardee County
FINAL Document 1/23/2013 - Hardee County
FINAL Document 1/23/2013 - Hardee County
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20. Additional Strategies Positioning <strong>Hardee</strong> <strong>County</strong> for Economic Growth include:<br />
a. Expanding Business and Industry in <strong>Hardee</strong><br />
<strong>County</strong> including diversification of the<br />
economic sector<br />
i. Continue to identify desirable<br />
business and industry targets<br />
ii. Continue to market <strong>Hardee</strong> <strong>County</strong><br />
to new business and industry<br />
iii. Provide outreach to existing business<br />
and industry, business retention and<br />
expansion opportunities.<br />
iv. Establish an effective interlocal<br />
coordination framework between the<br />
<strong>County</strong>, Cities, EDC/IDA and Chamber; other agencies as identified should be involved.<br />
b. Improve internal road access and internal circulation.<br />
c. Build on communications infrastructure including <strong>Hardee</strong> <strong>County</strong>’s broadband capacity.<br />
d. Continue to promote development of existing industrial properties, including identifying the potential<br />
state and local incentives available.<br />
e. Identify and plan new (diversified) business and industry locations through the continued use of the<br />
Enterprise Zones, as well as identifying areas for infrastructure and improvements and development of<br />
minimum standards, including drainage, parking, access, traffic lights, sidewalks, landscaping, and new<br />
signage. The community should continue to support and enhance existing industry including the<br />
<strong>County</strong>’s agricultural base; however, additional, diversified business and industrial opportunities<br />
should be targeted. The <strong>County</strong>’s broadband capabilities and similar technologies are an asset, similar<br />
to water, sewer and access to rail, that can attract technology-based business interests. The community<br />
should further investigate opportunities to expand, market, and develop this economic attractor.<br />
f. Leverage grant and funding opportunities, including programs such as the City of Wauchula’s<br />
Brownfields program, to aide business retention, expansion and relocation.<br />
21. Similar to <strong>Hardee</strong> <strong>County</strong>, many communities in similar situations are designating growth areas to better phase<br />
or manage their future development and public investments. Based on these ideas, the community sees these<br />
areas as an opportunity to create value in private holdings, improve underdeveloped or underutilized properties,<br />
create valuable public spaces, where applicable, that are both walkable and sustainable and an overall<br />
improvement in civic activity. The success of these areas may take several years to fully develop; however,<br />
this will allow for the public, property owners, developers and the <strong>County</strong> to come together.<br />
a. The <strong>County</strong> should continue to review and amend the land development codes to promote mixeduse<br />
developments, streamline development review procedures and provide flexible development<br />
standards within the targeted growth and mixed use development areas. Identify and consider<br />
incentives for development bonuses to capture market demands, and aggregate parcels along the<br />
corridors, particularly if shared public or private infrastructure (i.e., stormwater management,<br />
transit, pedestrian connectivity, public access and open space, and landscapes/entry features) are<br />
enhanced or included.<br />
b. Within the urban style development areas, the respective jurisdiction should focus on the 4 D’s<br />
(density, diversity, design and destinations), to promote compact, mixed use corridors and areas<br />
that have an outward orientation of buildings and uses facing the streets rather than parking areas<br />
that create more inviting spaces for residents and visitors.<br />
c. Apply architectural and site design guidelines to promote a style or quality of new construction that<br />
would maintain the desired theme and scale of development in the community.<br />
22. The <strong>County</strong> should undertake/commission an “Agricultural-Vacant Lands Study” to better understand and<br />
identify existing conditions within the broader (rural) community. Portions of this study should also identify<br />
factors and trends<br />
impacting these lands<br />
especially with regard to<br />
encroachment by either<br />
urban/suburban uses<br />
and/or non-compatible<br />
uses that could be<br />
detrimental to existing and<br />
future agricultural<br />
operations. Based on the<br />
amount of agricultural<br />
activities within the<br />
<strong>County</strong> and their overall<br />
economic impact, the<br />
protection and<br />
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