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Hardee County to co-sponsor GFNY cycling event; board approves four-year partnership framework
Summary
The county agreed to a four-year sponsorship framework to host the GFNY cycling event fully in Hardee County starting Oct. 1, 2026, with an annual county contribution of $15,000 matched by the Tourism Development Council; the board approved the agreement 5–0 and staff will include the BOCC share in next year's budget.
The board voted unanimously Feb. 5 to support a multi-year partnership to bring the GFNY cycling event exclusively to Hardee County beginning Oct. 1, 2026. Tourism staff explained the TDC will contribute $15,000 annually and asked the BOCC to match that amount for the first two years for a combined $30,000 annual sponsorship; the TDC indicated it hoped to assume the entire cost after the event demonstrates local economic impact.
Tourism staff said moving the event fully into Hardee County would locate the pre-race expo and start/finish in the county's Civic Center and would bring riders and support people to local lodging and businesses for multiple days. "This partnership would put Hardee County front-and-center on the event page and drive multiple days of visitor spending," tourism staff said. Commissioners approved a motion (subject to county attorney approval and manager sign-off) to enter a sponsorship agreement not to exceed $30,000 annually (BOCC share $15,000; TDC share $15,000) for up to four years; the item will be budgeted in the 2026–27 fiscal year.
Staff noted GFNY requires early notice to its organizers, so the county and TDC sought consensus now so contracts can be executed and Sebring and other prior host jurisdictions can be notified. The board asked staff to budget the BOCC contribution in the next fiscal-year budget cycle and to return agreements for execution.
