Public hearing for CDBG funding application in Hardee County.

CDBG Second Public Hearing
Notice

Hardee County BCC plans to apply to Florida Commerce for a FY2025 Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) in the Housing Rehabilitation and Neighborhood Revitalization categories. The activities, dollar amount and estimated percentage benefit to low- and very low-income persons are as follows:

Activity Name 						CDBG Funding		LMI Benefit 

Housing Rehabilitation					$1,000,000		83.9%

Design and Permitting, Bostick Roadway 			$1,400,000		83.9%

Engineering, Regional Master Lift Station		    	$650,000		83.9%

Pioneer Park Playground				    	$250,000		83.9%

Local Match, Local Road Safety Action Plan	    		$100,000		83.9%

The County proposes to rehabilitate or demolish and replace a minimum of twelve homes owned by very low- and low-income households that do not meet current building code standards.

Additional proposed activities include the design and permitting of Bostick Road improvements, including drainage improvements, sidewalks, curb and gutter installation, and widening of travel lanes. The County also proposes to complete engineering services for the Regional Master Lift Station – Phase 9, install an inclusive playground at Pioneer Park to better serve community recreational needs, and provide the required local match for the development of a Local Road Safety Action Plan.

Hardee County BCC does not expect that anyone will be displaced because of CDBG-funded activities. If any person is displaced because of the planned activities, Hardee County BCC will assist them as described in Hardee County’s anti-displacement and relocation policy, which is available for review at the Grants Management Office.
 
A public hearing to provide citizens with an opportunity to comment on the application(s) will be held at the Hardee County Board of Commissioners meeting at 412 W Orange Street, Wauchula on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 8:30 a.m.  A draft copy of the application will be available for review during normal business hours in the Grants Management Office. Persons wanting to submit written comments on the application should send them to the Grants Management Office, by e-mail at grants@hardeecountyfl.gov no later than 3 p.m. on April 27, 2026.

A copy of the final application will be available for review in the Grants Management Office no later than May 1, 2026. The application will be submitted to Florida Commerce on or before May 5, 2026. To obtain additional information concerning the application and the public hearing, contact 863-773-6349 or by email at
grants@hardeecountyfl.gov 

The public hearing is being conducted in a handicapped accessible location. Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any persons requiring special accommodations to participate in the hearing is asked to advise Grants Management at least two calendar days before the hearing.  Any non-English speaking person wishing to attend the public hearing should contact Grants Management at 863-773-6349 at least two calendar days prior to the hearing and an interpreter will be provided. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the county using Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).