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County seeks EDA support for wastewater master lift station, parks Wi‑Fi and gateway signs
Summary
Hardee County staff told commissioners the county submitted EDA infrastructure grants for a regional master lift station (Phase 9 sewer expansion), a parks Wi‑Fi project (asking an additional $30,000 after bids exceeded an earlier award), and partial support for four gateway signs to promote the county.
County staff reported multiple Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant submissions intended to support utility expansion and tourism/infrastructure projects.
Phase 9 wastewater master lift station: staff described an EDA infrastructure grant application to fund design and engineering of a regional master lift station to serve growth near Bostick/Highway 17 and adjoining developments including an RV park expansion. The staff member said the lift station would consolidate multiple future developments and reduce the need for many separate lift stations; the county has preliminary engineering and verbal site interest from a private property owner who may host the station.
Parks Wi‑Fi: staff said Hardee County previously received $125,000 to install fiber/Wi‑Fi at two county parks but the bids exceeded available funding; the county requested an additional $30,000 from EDA to cover the shortfall. Staff described the parks system as fiber to the park with aerial poles and a third‑party managed service for campers. Staff said kickoff and permitting is underway and no invoices had yet been received.
Gateway signage: staff reported an EDA application requesting $80,000 toward a larger project (design and construction for six signs with four built initially); the Tourism Development Council (TDC) had pushed the project and commissioners discussed whether bed‑tax (TDC) funding or the county budget was a better fit for signage costs. Some commissioners said EDA is typically reserved for infrastructure and urged using bed‑tax funds instead.
Commissioner concerns: questions centered on project timelines, why previous awards did not cover final costs, and whether EDA funding was the most appropriate source for gateway signs. Staff said bids often rise between engineering estimates and the bid date and that the county had approximately 100 active projects competing for staff time.
Next steps: staff said they will continue to pursue matching funds for the gateway signs, complete permitting and award bids for the parks Wi‑Fi after addressing the funding shortfall, and return with more detailed project budgets as needed.
