Central Florida Regional Planning Council Going Strong Entering Year 50, Helping Area Counties and Cities
The Central Florida Regional Planning Council (CFRPC) does more than help government entities in the five counties it serves. It also supports residents as it seeks to improve the quality of life for everyone.
July 2024, marked the CFRPC 50th anniversary of helping the Heartland of Florida. The Heartland includes the Polk, Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee and DeSoto counties. The agency was created in 1974 to “provide support, planning and programs to serve the citizens, cities and counties of our region. Over the past 50 years, we have provided planning advisory services and programs to all five counties and 25 cities of the region,” said CFRPC Executive Director Jennifer Codo-Salisbury.
Its services include most forms of planning: development strategy, emergency preparedness, and transportation planning. Also, intergovernmental coordination, coordinating regulations for large-scale developments, community visioning, and grant writing and management activities.
“We are proud to provide opportunities for public participation in government at all levels,” Codo-Salisbury said. “The Central Florida Regional Planning Council takes pride in serving as a forum for leaders and residents of the region to discuss issues, solve problems, develop programs and build consensus to improve our communities.”
The agency celebrated its 50th birthday with leaders from across the region who gathered following its June meeting. Its partnerships are its “biggest accomplishment,” according to Codo-Salisbury.
Partnership with CFDC
“We provide technical assistance and capacity wherever needed and are most proud of the partnerships we have forged, including our partnership with the Central Florida Development Council, she said. The CFDC has played a significant role in successes with many grants and projects throughout the years.”
The CFDC is the county’s designated economic development agency. The CFRPC engages in economic development strategic planning, Codo-Salisbury said.
“We are fortunate to have such an established and professional Regional Planning Council to collaborate with- sharing ideas, strategies and information,” said CFDC President & CEO Sean Malott. “We are happy to celebrate their 50 years of service to the community and look forward to the next 50.”
Highlights
Codo-Salisbury said the agency’s highlights in Polk County “include the convening and collaboration of communities and local governments as all work toward a higher quality of life.”
She provided a few highlights:
- Working with the Heartland Brownfields Coalition “to facilitate redevelopment of a brownfield to a health field to create the Mulberry Health Clinic.”
- Assisting cities and the county by providing planning services.
- Continuing to implement “several emergency management programs to ensure a more resilient future in disaster response and recovery.”
- Helping communities obtain state and federal grants to reach the communities’ goals. Several years ago, Fort Meade received a $40,000 state grant to develop a vision. The grant allowed the city to contract with the Regional Planning Council for its professional services. The council led the process, working in partnership with the CFDC, Fort Meade Chamber of Commerce, Fort Meade Historical Society, Polk County School District and others.
The future looks bright, Codo-Salisbury said. Polk County is growing at a significant pace. As one of the metros CFRPC works with, potential opportunities for more services grant a positive outlook.
“Polk County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the country,” she said. “Industries that continue to grow include aviation, advanced manufacturing and healthcare. This growth comes with opportunities to provide services vital to residents’ and communities’ quality of life.”
