February 13, 2013 Joint Legislative Auditing Committee Attention: Representative Lake Ray, Chairman Senator Joseph Abruzzo,

Chairman 111 West Madison Street 976 Pepper Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1400 Re: Hardee County Economic Development Dear Representative Ray and Senator Abruzzo: Hardee County is a community rich in our agricultural heritage. We are proud of how far we have come since our humble beginnings; however, the need for further economic growth has become apparent in most recent years. Hardee County faces many challenges that other rural communities face such as teen pregnancy, unemployment, poverty and threats to our current economic drivers. Our community has also been identified as a rural area of economic concern pursuant to Section 288.0656, F.S. Because of such, Hardee Countys future is reliant on diversifying our economy. The Hardee County Economic Development Authority (EDA), the Hardee County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) and its managing sister entity, the Hardee County Economic Development Council (EDC), work feverishly to diversify the economy for current and future generations. Given direction by State Statutes, the IDA/EDC and EDA serve as stewards of the funding directed at the goal of creating economic diversity and expansion of opportunity for Hardee County citizens. I support economic development in Hardee County as well as the actions and philosophies of the Economic Development Authority, the Industrial Development Authority, and the Economic Development Council. With the Mosaic Agreement and progressive thinking, our community will be able to mitigate a struggling economy and facilitate diversified, rewarding careers. Sincerely,