CDBG Small Cities Program Okeechobee, Florida First Public Hearing Notice Okeechobee County is considering applying to the Florida Department of Commerce for the 2025 Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The County is eligible to apply for funding related to Neighborhood Revitalization, Housing Rehabilitation, and Commercial Revitalization program areas. The activities must be critical to their locality and primarily for the benefit of low- and moderate-income residents. The activities to be proposed in the application and funded through the CDBG Program must meet one of the following National Objectives: 1. Provide benefit to low- and moderate-income (LMI) area 2. LMI Housing 3. LMI Jobs 4. Urgent Need The types of activities that CDBG funds may be used for include: Neighborhood Revitalization, Housing Rehabilitation, and Commercial Revitalization program areas. In developing a CDBG application, Okeechobee County must plan to minimize the displacement of persons as a result of the activities. In addition, Okeechobee County is required to develop a plan to assist displaced persons, if needed, as a result of the project. A public hearing to obtain citizen comment concerning the County’s economic and community development needs will be held at the Okeechobee County Historic Courthouse, 304 NW 2nd Street, Room 201, Okeechobee, FL 34972 on Thursday, April 23rd, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. For information concerning the public hearing, contact Michele Watson, Grants Specialist at (863) 763-6441 Ext. 2109 or by e-mail at mwatson@okeechobeecountyfl.gov. The public hearing is being conducted in a handicapped accessible location. Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in the hearing is asked to advise the Ciounty at least five days before the hearing by contacting Michele Watson, Grants Specialist at (863) 763-6441 Ext. 2109 or by e-mail at mwatson@okeechobeecountyfl.gov. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the Court Administration at 772-807-4370. Any non-English speaking person wishing to attend the public hearing should contact Human Resources at (863) 763-6441 Ext. 4 or by e-mail at mwatson@okeechobeecountyfl.gov at least five days prior to the hearing and an interpreter will be provided.  April 18,2026 12262212