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IDA reports Aloha Medical building complete, prioritizes Rife Hardware downtown restoration
Summary
Hardee County’s Industrial Development Authority briefed commissioners on a completed medical facility at Commerce Park, an upcoming ribbon-cutting, and plans to restore the Rife Hardware historic property as part of downtown revitalization.
The Industrial Development Authority told the Hardee County Board of County Commissioners on May 1 that the Aloha Medical facility at Commerce Park has received a certificate of occupancy and that the IDA will host a ribbon-cutting at 9 a.m. May 7.
The update from the development group said the completed Commerce Park building strengthens local medical capacity and is a recruitment asset for industry, and the IDA invited commissioners to tour the facility and meet Jim Rosner, identified in the presentation as Aloha Medical’s CEO. The IDA presentation said the building was used in recruitment efforts and that Aloha Medical has already leased space and hired staff prior to the ribbon-cutting.
The IDA also reported progress on a downtown historic property, the Rife Hardware building, purchased from Main Street Huachula. The authority said it is in design phase and intends to restore historic exterior and interior elements, using a state historic preservation grant obtained by Main Street Huachula for part of the design work. The presentation said the goal is to renovate the building for restaurant use and to recruit an operator, and that the project is among the IDA’s top priorities for the next 12 months.
Other items in the IDA update included the group’s podcast series (new episodes released biweekly) used for community outreach, and a reminder that the U.S. Small Business Development Center (SBDC) holds regular office hours at the development office; Stacy and Randy Cruz of Bull of Fun Lanes spoke to the SBDC’s assistance in preparing a business plan, the IDA reported.
The presentation emphasized links between local health-care capacity and broader economic development, noting the Commerce Park medical building helps support workforce attraction and retention. The IDA committed to further updates and said staff would return with operator recruitment progress and interior design sketches for the Rife Hardware property.
