Good News From Florida’s CRAs

With FCLF and NMTC Financing, Agape Network will expand its services in Miami-Dade at the Agape Village Health Center

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffDecember 8, 2021

Florida Community Loan Fund has finalized closing on New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) financing for the Agape Village Health Center. FCLF provided $21 million in NMTC allocation for the new $34.8 million campus in Miami’s Goulds neighborhood, expanding the reach of Agape Network to serve nearly 12,000 annually from one location. The new multi-building 40,000 square-foot campus will include a health…

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Growing Food Scene Puts Punta Gorda on the Map

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffNovember 29, 2021

Given its name, I assumed the restaurant was a tribute to Ernest Hemingway. That seemed like a reasonable assumption since so many bars and restaurants claim some connection to one of the greatest authors in the American literary canon. Think Havana’s La Floridita, his eponymous bar at The Ritz in Paris, and Sloppy Joe’s in…

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CRA Approves The Irving for $4 Million Tax Increment Rebate – FORT MYERS

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffNovember 8, 2021

FORT MYERS, Fla. (November 6, 2021) — The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) recently approved a tax increment rebate and development agreement for The Irving in downtown Fort Myers. The CRA approved a tax increment rebate in the not-to-exceed amount of $4 million for 2401 Bay Street, LLC disbursed at 85 percent of increment revenue generated each…

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CRA Approves $20,000 for Incubation Program – Fort Myers

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffNovember 8, 2021

FORT MYERS, Fla. (November 5, 2021) — The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) recently approved an amount not to exceed $20,000 for the SWFL Enterprise Center (SWFEC) Incubation Program. The funds will be used to engage Dr. Peter Oscody of PreneurDomain to develop an incubation program for the SWFEC. The SWFEC currently runs various trainings for…

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Publication of EDR’s 2021 Local Government Financial Information Handbook

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffNovember 3, 2021

The Florida Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research (EDR) has published the 2021 edition of the Local Government Financial Information Handbook.  This report is produced annually by EDR to serve as a reference for many of the revenue sources available to local governments.  It contains items useful for local government budgeting purposes, including descriptions of…

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Sep282021

Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency announces Revolving Housing Loan Program

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffSeptember 28, 2021

The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) announces a Revolving Housing Loan Program available in the Cleveland Avenue and Dr. MLK, Jr. Blvd. redevelopment areas. The fund is to be used exclusively for the purpose of supporting developers seeking to construct housing targeting individuals that make 100 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) or…

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Sep282021

State announces recipients of $114 million in wastewater treatment grants

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffSeptember 28, 2021

Nearly half of that cash will go to projects helping to clean up the Indian River Lagoon. Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) are sending $114 million to help fund wastewater treatment efforts and improve water quality across the state. The grants come courtesy of the Wastewater Grant Program, which was created as…

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City of Winter Garden Launches Living Local Campaign and Fall & Winter Event Calendar

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffSeptember 22, 2021

The City of Winter Garden just launched a “Living Local” campaign to encourage local participation and support of one’s hometown. The campaign includes events and initiatives to urge community involvement and patronage of local, small businesses. The campaign will run fall 2021-spring 2022. The “Living Local” campaign immediately follows the previous yearlong “Love Local” campaign…

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Sep202021

It’s about time: Old downtown Panama City bank clock gets another chance to chime

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffSeptember 20, 2021

In the aftermath of Hurricane Michael in 2018, the Old Bank Clock that once hung at the corner of Harrison Avenue and Beach Drive, and later at Harrison and Seventh, was badly damaged. It had been the icon of the downtown business district since 1926, when it was installed on the First National Bank building…

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Sep152021

Murals are transforming Ocala’s indoor, outdoor spaces

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffSeptember 15, 2021

A collection of murals across indoor and outdoor spaces in Ocala have slowly changed the landscape of the city’s public art scene.  Multiple city officials, including City Manager Sandra Wilson, have consistently praised the efforts of local cultural arts organizations, artists, businesses, and city staff to beautify Ocala’s public spaces. To that end, no space…

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Sep82021

Lee County Black History Society kicks off Capital Campaign

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffSeptember 8, 2021

  FORT MYERS, Fla. (Aug. 30, 2021) – The Lee County Black History Society has officially kicked off a capital campaign to raise $22 million for a Black Culture Center at Clemente Park in Dunbar. As part of the City of Fort Myers’ comprehensive plan for Clemente Park, residents have expressed their desire for the…

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Sep82021

Florida League of Cities names new leadership, award recipients

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffSeptember 8, 2021

The Florida League of Cities announced a change of command Wednesday, including a newly elected president and two officers. Lakeland Commissioner Phillip Walker will serve as the League’s president. Walker, a former police officer, was first elected to the Lakeland City Commission in 2010. Among other affiliations, he is an immediate past president of the Florida Black…

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