There will be multiple opportunities for residents, business owners, and other stakeholders to get involved—through public meetings, online surveys, workshops, and interactive activities. Feedback from the community will help shape the vision, guide priorities, and influence the final recommendations for the US 17 corridor.

This project will follow three phases, and each has an overarching purpose and defined outcome that will guide the outreach events that occur within it. The events are detailed with their anticipated timeline, intended audience, and anticipated outcome.

1. Phase 1 | DISCOVER – educate participants on the plan’s purpose and process as well as collecting input on the community’s visions and needs (March – August 2025)
2. Phase 2 | PLAN – confirm what we learned in the first phase and collect input on concepts and alternatives for the US 17 corridor (September 2025 – Jan 2026)
3. Phase 3 | COMMUNICATE – present key elements of the plan and collect final input on priorities to deliver a final report (Feb – April 2026)

The project will result in a long-term plan that outlines a shared vision for the US 17 corridor. It will include strategies and recommendations to guide future development, transportation improvements, infrastructure investments, and community enhancements.

The plan will serve as a guiding tool for local governments, agencies, and partners to coordinate decisions about growth, transportation, and investment along the US 17 corridor. It will help align future development with community priorities and ensure that improvements to infrastructure, housing, and the local economy is well-coordinated and balanced.

The study area for the economic development initiative is the US-17 Corridor. The area surrounds US-17 through Hardee County, starting on the northern border in Bowling Green and ending on the southern border near Gardner.