Okeechobee Florida

agricultural heritage, a foundational pillar deeply ingrained in the community’s identity and celebrated throughout the century. Gary Ritter, the City Administrator, paints a vivid picture of a community at a crossroads, honoring its past while navigating the path of growth and modernization. Ritter articulates the city’s transformation, highlighting the influx of new businesses and commercial interests that have taken root in response to a gradually expanding population. Despite nearing its capacity in terms of development space, the city is ingeniously balancing growth with green space preservation, mainly through its parks. Okeechobee’s downtown district is a focal point of community pride and revitalization efforts. With six parks undergoing development and rehabilitation, the city is preserving its green spaces and creating destinations that celebrate its agricultural roots. The newly completed Cattlemen’s Square, featuring life- size bronze statues depicting a cattle drive, offers a tangible connection to Okeechobee’s agricultural legacy and a magnet for residents and visitors, anchoring the downtown corridor. ENERGIZING OKEECHOBEE’S BUSINESS LANDSCAPE In the heart of Okeechobee, a dynamic interplay between tradition and modernity defines the local business ecosystem, with existing enterprises forming the backbone of this thriving community. Kaylee King, President of the Okeechobee County Economic Development Corporation, sheds light on the concerted efforts to nurture and expand the commercial fabric of the city. “They’re critical,” she asserts, acknowledging the symbiotic relationship between the city’s economic health and commercial corridor. The collaboration between the Economic Development Corporation and the local Chamber of Commerce has been pivotal, focusing on the sustenance and growth of these enterprises. This partnership has given birth to the Business Retention and Expansion program, a strategic initiative to equip local businesses with the necessary resources and tools for growth. “Our key performance indicators don’t just count 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 5, ISSUE 03 OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA