Board approves IDA’s 30,000 sq. ft. spec building funded by $6M federal grant

The Planning & Zoning Board approved a site development and construction plan to build a 30,000‑square‑foot speculative manufacturing facility (Lot 31) in the Hardee County Commerce Park.

Miller (Speaker 3) summarized staff review and said the application meets the county’s Unified Land Development Code and the comprehensive plan. Sarah Evers, representing the Industrial Development Authority, told the board: "we received a $6,000,000 grant from the Department of Commerce to construct a manufacturing hub in the Hardee County Commerce Park" and that the building can be configured as two 15,000‑square‑foot units to attract one or multiple tenants.

Board members asked about timelines; Evers said grant agreements include milestones the IDA must meet. With no substantive objections, the board voted to approve the site plan. Staff noted the building is a spec facility intended to speed tenant recruitment and that the IDA will pursue additional grants for future inventory.