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Hardee County development group highlights downtown restorations, international recruitment efforts
Summary
The Hardee County development group updated commissioners on downtown revitalization projects, a Commerce Park building under construction, international outreach through the Department of Commerce, and citizen leadership training programs.
The Hardee County Development Group reported to the Board of County Commissioners on June 19, 2025, summarizing ongoing downtown and Commerce Park projects, statewide recognition and planned international business recruitment activities.
The presentation noted two downtown-focused projects: renovation of the former Rife Hardware building for a restaurant and an interior build-out planned at Commerce Park for a relocating business. "Peter Kageyama talked about writing love notes to your community," the group said, adding that the Rife project is intended as a preservation-minded revitalization of a historic facade. The development group said the Commerce Park building has "gone vertical" and is expected to be completed by late 2025.
Why it matters: county staff and the development group said these projects aim to support local job creation and downtown vitality. The group also described outreach that aims to recruit businesses to properties near the county airport and in Commerce Park.
Details and context: presenters said Hardee County was one of three economic development programs highlighted at the Florida Economic Development Council conference for innovative local practice. The development group also described meetings with site selectors and a meeting with the department secretary from the Florida Department of Commerce, and said CEO Denise Grimsley will join a governor-led Paris leadership mission tied to the Paris Air Show to promote Hardee County property and business opportunities.
The group also reported local engagement through a nine-session class of the Building a Vibrant Community series; they said the class graduates this week. The presenters said former Quint Studer staff member DC Reeves, now mayor of Pensacola, will speak at a chamber event Aug. 28 and meet with the local alumni group.
Commissioner response and next steps: commissioners questioned market impacts for additional restaurants in downtown and were told a recent market study funded by a Main Street grant supported adding another restaurant. Commissioners also congratulated the development group for statewide attention and urged continued operator and tenant recruitment for the downtown restaurant space.
The development group concluded the monthly update and said it will continue coordination with state partners and local stakeholders.
