EDO Celebrates Completion of Circle S Pharmacy Downtown Pahokee Revitalization Project

Commissioner Santamaria called the project a great start, "but we need a lot more to make the Glades what it should be."

Commissioner Santamaria called the project a great start, "but we need a lot more to make the Glades what it should be."

Economic Development Specialist Claudia Lopez and Circle S Pharmacy owner Arnaldo "Mike" Garcia.

Commissioner Santamaria and Vice Mayor Henry Crawford (far right) lead a contingent in dedicating Circle S Pharmacy.

Pahokee Mayor J.P. Sasser

Economic Development Director Sherry Howard

On June 24, the Economic Development Office (EDO) and District 6 Commissioner Jess Santamaria, along with Pahokee city officials and business leaders, held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the first completed project in the Downtown Pahokee Revitalization Project Area.

Around two dozen citizens, well wishers and family members attended the gathering at Circle S Pharmacy, a business that provides a majority of the pharmaceutical needs for the rural community.

“I am very humbled and honored to have my pharmacy as the first business in Pahokee to complete this redevelopment process,” said a visibly moved Arnaldo “Mike” Garcia, owner of the store located at 323 Bacom Point Road.

“The county has been steadfast in its support of what we’ve been trying to do here,” added Pahokee Mayor J.P. Sasser. “I can’t say enough about them.”
The $227,000 project was funded in partnership with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through a Section 108 Loan and a Brownfield Economic Development Initiative grant. The monies paid for the purchase of new machinery and equipment to improve efficiency and increase the pharmacy’s inventory.

Emceeing the event was EDO Director Sherry Howard.