THIS INVESTMENT WILL SUPPORTS HARDEE COUNTY TO CREATE A COORDINATED LAND USE, TRANSPORTATION, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR THE US 17 CORRIDOR. THE STUDY WILL ADDRESS EXISTING CONDITIONS AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOCUSING ON ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, TRANSPORTATION, WATER, SEWER AND STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE, LAND USE, REDEVELOPMENT/REVITALIZATION, AND FACILITATE THE EFFICIENT USE OF EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE. THE STUDY WILL FOCUS ON STRENGTHENING THE EXISTING ECONOMIC BASE AND FINDING OPPORTUNITIES TO ATTRACT NEW BUSINESSES AND PROMOTE JOB GROWTH. THE STUDY WILL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COUNTY TO EXPAND AND ENHANCE ITS INDUSTRIAL BASE BY STRENGTHENING THE LINKAGES WITHIN EACH CLUSTER GROUPING AND TARGETING SPECIFIC INDUSTRIES FOR RETENTION AND EXPANSION. IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE A CLEAR PICTURE OF WHAT IS POSSIBLE GIVEN THE UNIQUE EXISTING ASSETS AND OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN AND ADJACENT TO THE US 17 CORRIDOR.