Resolution 2016-034 RESOLUTION 2016- 3 4
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, EXPRESSING ITS SUPPORT FOR THE
CONTINUATION OF THE DESIGNATION OF "RURAL AREA OF
OPPORTUNITY" TO THE SOUTH CENTRAL FLORIDA REGION
INCORPORATING DESOTO, HIGHLANDS, GLADES, OKEECHOBEE,
HENDRY, AND HARDEE COUNTIES (INCLUDING THE CITIES, TOWNS AND
COMMUNITIES WITHIN EACH), THE CITIES OF BELLE GLADE, PAHOKEE,
SOUTH BAY, AND THE COMMUNITY OF IMMOKALEE; AND, THAT ALL
ENTERPRISE ZONES IN THESE COUNTIES AND COMMUNITIES
CONTINUE TO EXIST; AND THE CONTINUATION OF ALL STAFFING
GRANT FUNDING FOR FLORIDA'S HEARTLAND REDI, INC., THROUGH
ENTERPRISE FLORIDA, AND PROVIDING FOR SCRIVENER'S ERRORS;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, in 1994 Florida's Heartland REDI, Inc. was incorporated to promote
and improve economic development in the six counties, three cities and one community
designated in 2001 as Rural Areas of Critical Economic Concern; and
WHEREAS, in 2001 Governor Jeb Bush, by executive order, identified the six
counties of Hardee, DeSoto, Highlands, Glades, Hendry, and Okeechobee and three cities
Belle Glade, South Bay, Pahokee, and the Community of Immokalee, as Rural Areas of
Critical Economic Concern, and that this designation was renewed in 2006; and'
WHEREAS, in 2015, Governor Rick Scott changed the designation from Rural
Areas of Critical Economic Concern (RACEC) to Rural Areas of Opportunity (RAO); and,
WHEREAS, the counties and local communities in Florida's Heartland REDI, Inc.
region named above now request Governor Rick Scott to renew the designation of the
counties and local communities as a Rural Area of Opportunity; and
WHEREAS, Florida's Heartland REDI, Inc. has made great strides in improving
the economic outlook for the above counties and local communities (which are sometimes
referred to as the South Central Rural Area of Opportunity) by assisting with recruiting new
industries, supporting infrastructure projects and working together with the counties and
the local communities and other organizations such as Enterprise Florida, and the
Governor's Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development (OTTED); and
WHEREAS, notwithstanding the progress that has been made, there is still much
work that needs to be done to help these six counties, three cities and one community
compete economically with other parts of the state.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA:
1 . That the designation of Rural Areas of Opportunity continue to apply to
Hardee, Highlands, DeSoto, Hendry, Glades, and Okeechobee counties, the
cities of Belle Glade, Pahokee, South Bay and the community of Immokalee.
2. The continuation of all staffing grant funding for Florida's Heartland REDI, Inc.
through Enterprise Florida and OTTED.
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED, by the Board of County Commissioners of Collier
County, Florida this 2-3 Y-d, day of 2016.
ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
DWIGHT E. BROCK,,CLERK COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
By
Attest as to Chair oat1I eputy Clerk DONNA FIALA, CHAIRMAN
signature only.
Approved as to form
and legality:
Jenni er A. Belpedio
Assistant County Attorn-y \\�
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