SHARE:
South Central: Growing Strong
Agricultural experience puts South Central Florida on the fast track to green energy success.
OKEECHOBEE COUNTY
“The permitting process was very favorable here.” - Bill Harvey, owner |
Aiming for an upscale lifestyle: The 2,400-acre Pine Creek Sporting Club opened late in 2008 just outside the town of Okeechobee; honorary members include golf legend Jack Nicklaus. Equidistant from Palm Beach and Orlando, Pine Creek is self-described as an “exclusive, members-only champions’ clays and wing shooting club.” Members can buy a home on the Pine Creek grounds or an annual club membership, either of which allows them to enjoy “roughing it” in total luxury.
Wide open: Okeechobee transportation infrastructure includes State Road 70, currently being widened by the Florida Department of Transportation.
DESOTO COUNTY
Reaping energy from sunshine: Florida Power & Light (FPL), the state’s largest investor-owned utility, is building the world’s largest solar panel “farm” on a site just north of Arcadia. Situated on 1,525 acres, The DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center is a 25-megawatt facility featuring 90,000 photovoltaic panels. Slated for completion in late 2009, the project is expected to provide enough energy to power 3,000 homes.
Focused on transportation improvements: Elected federal representatives from DeSoto and Hardee counties are teaming up to secure funding to improve 21 miles of U.S. Highway 17, a key north-south artery through the region.