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PBC Economic Development Office implementing project with the $1 million appropriation from the State of Florida for the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST) Tourism Enhancement Master Plan

Entryway Design

The PBC Economic Development Office (EDO) was awarded $1,000,000 appropriation from the State of Florida in July 2005 for phase I of the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST) Tourism Enhancement Master Plan. EDO entered into contract in 2006 and it is now implementing the first of two phases of the master plan. The funds will be spent by 2009. The Master Plan is a 5-year Capital Improvement Plan to guide and fund development of needed tourism-related businesses and job opportunities for residents in the Glades community (the Plan is completed)

Phase I of the plan consist of:

• The design and construction of development of four entryways branding Palm Beach County lake region (in progress)
• Linking the entryways with multi-use paths connecting to the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail
• The development of three trail heads
• Belle Glade Amphitheater on Torry Island (in progress)
• Pahokee Marina restrooms and showers (in progress)
• The North East Everglades Natural Area (NENA) trail head at LOST (in progress)

Belle Glade amphitheater 09/2007

Pahokee Marina restrooms & showers 09/ 2007

In addition, EDO assisted the Glades cities in obtaining funds through local area programs. The Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) allocated $924,000 for multi-use pathways linking the downtowns to the scenic trail, and pedestrian lighting.

This project will create sustainable tourism facilities that will positively impact the local economy in the Glades area.

For project information, please contact Pam Nolan, Economic Development Specialist, at (561) 355-6835.

301 N. Olive Ave., 10th Floor
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
phone:  (561) 355-3624
fax:  (561) 355-6017
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