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Hardee County IDA approves $4 million ARPA-funded grant for multi-purpose facility
Summary
The Industrial Development Authority approved a $4,000,000 Florida Capital Projects Fund grant (federal ARPA funds routed through the state Department of Commerce) to rehabilitate and operate a multi‑purpose community facility, with a reimbursable funding structure and an aggressive expenditure deadline.
The Hardee County Industrial Development Authority on Wednesday approved a $4,000,000 grant agreement with the Florida Department of Commerce to renovate and operate a multi‑purpose community facility intended for office space, education and health monitoring services.
Miss Evers, an economic development staff member who presented the item, said the award comes through the Department of Commerce’s Office of Broadband and is funded from federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars routed to the state. She said the grant is a reimbursable award and is structured for a 10‑year term.
The grant award is broken into two budget categories: $325,000 for engineering and design services and $3,675,000 for construction. During the engineering phase the IDA may seek reimbursement in 30% increments; construction reimbursements will be requested in 10% increments. The agreement includes a federal/security interest requirement for the first five years and monitoring and reporting obligations through the full 10‑year term. Staff said the agreement includes an “expend by” date of October 2026 for ARPA funds, a timeline staff described as aggressive but attainable given work already completed on candidate buildings.
Board members asked whether previously completed work would be eligible for reimbursement; Miss Evers said work done prior to execution of the grant agreement is not eligible for reimbursement. When asked about penalties for missing the spend deadline, staff said the agreement allows the IDA to request a one‑time extension from the Department of Commerce if the project is at risk of missing the deadline.
The board voted to approve the Florida Capital Projects Fund grant agreement and authorized the chair or vice chair to sign the agreement in substantially similar form. The motion passed on a voice vote.
The IDA’s staff and board said they plan to reuse existing structures where possible to meet the timeline and to pursue design options that could include adding a third floor in the center section of the building during the engineering phase.
