THIS INVESTMENT SUPPORTS DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (CEDS) IN THE REGION SERVED BY CENTRAL FLORIDA REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL WHICH COMPRISES DESOTO, HARDEE, HIGHLANDS, OKEECHOBEE, AND POLK COUNTIES. THE CEDS PROCESS IS DESIGNED TO BRING TOGETHER THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS IN THE CREATION OF AN ECONOMIC ROADMAP TO DIVERSIFY AND STRENGTHEN THE REGIONAL ECONOMY.