About - The Development Group

The Development Group’s vision is to create a strong community of integrity where people want to be. As an economic broker, The Development Group offers businesses specially tailored services and manages unique funding streams that allows the organization to recruit businesses to Hardee County. Through engagement and meaningful connections statewide, The Development Group will create a vibrant Hardee County.

By the numbers:

30 Completed Projects
Developed 200 Acres of Shovel Ready Sites
Added over $1.5 Billion to Hardee County’s Economy

Creating meaningful careers for Hardee County residents is The Development Group’s greatest accomplishment.

Completed Projects:

Steele Equine

The Development Group managed a Hardee County Economic Development Authority Grant to expand Steele Equine into a state of the art veterinary center for performance horses. The expansion included a high speed equine treadmill, surgery center and saltwater walker. Steele Equine is Central Florida’s destination for performance horse owners seeking care from sports medicine to reproduction.

Mach Connections

Mach Connections expanded into Hardee County in 2007. The company originally purchased eight acres in the Hardee County business park where the affordable price of land enticed the business from Sarasota County. The company built a 40,000 square foot building where they manufacture electronic boat harnesses. In 2022 The Development Group completed construction of an additional building for Mach Connections. The business continues to thrive and employs over 75 Hardee County Residents.

Florikan

Florikan began leasing a building in the Hardee County Business Park in 2014. Florikan purchased their building in 2017 and have expanded into a second location to include over 37,000 square feet of operations where they manufacture controlled-release fertilizer. Having been inducted into the space hall of fame for their work with NASA, Florikan continues to provide diversified careers for Hardee County residents.

Mancini Foods

The Italian specialty foods manufacturer entered a lease/purchase agreement with The Development Group in 2022. Alan Mancini, President/CEO, credits the partnership with The Development Group as what allowed him to take the company to the next level. Mancini Foods employs 100 people in their Hardee County facility. Mancini Foods offers careers from entry level positions to upper management.

Hardee Fresh

The US’s only certified organic vertical farm is located in the heart of Hardee County. Hardee Fresh uses innovative technology to grow organic vegetables. Hardee Fresh was established in 2017 and is expanding into a second location that will be operating as Wauchula Fresh.

Stream2Sea

Stream2Sea is the first and only brand that manufactures sunscreen and skincare that is scientifically proven safe to fish, coral larvae and our bodies! Stream2Sea is located in the Hardee County Business Park. Stream2Sea products have been featured in Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue and is the exclusive sunscreen of Virgin Voyages cruise line.

Current Projects:

Wauchula Fresh

Wauchula Fresh has entered a lease/purchase agreement with The Development Group. It is an expansion of the successful HardeeFresh venture. Wauchula Fresh uses hydroponics to grow herbs after renovating a 55,000 square foot facility in the heart of Wauchula.

R. Riveter

The Development Group is renovating a block of historic buildings on Main Street in Wauchula to be the future home of R.Riveter. As seen on Shark Tank, R. Riveter employs military spouses to assemble pieces of quality handbags. The handbags are finished, packaged and shipped from their facility in Wauchula. When the renovation project is complete, R.Riveter will also have a storefront on Main Street Wauchula!

Bowling Alley

The Development Group recently entered into a contract to purchase the Bowling Alley in Wauchula. Construction will follow. Once renovations are complete, a tenant will operate the bowling alley and restaurant!

Business Park Expansion

By 2014 all lots in the original business park were privately owned or built on. In 2018 The Development Group received a Florida Job Growth grant and in 2019 received an Economic Development Authority Grant. In 2020 construction began on the Business Park expansion which includes 104 acres. There are now 20 new shovel ready lots. The Development Group is in the final stages of completing the project and has begun marketing the lots to prospective businesses.

126 W. Main

126 W Main is a historic building that was recently acquired and restored by The Development Group. The restoration of a historic building is a labor of love that requires careful planning and execution. One of the most important aspects of this process is preserving the building’s historical integrity and character, which can be achieved by incorporating original materials and features into the renovation.

By preserving the building’s history and character, it becomes a symbol of the community’s heritage and a testament to the value of preserving the past for future generations to enjoy! The Development Group is entering a lease/purchase agreement

Housing

Housing remains a priority of The Development Group. Housing projects have included infill, downtown apartments and single family homes in areas identified as best suited for residential growth. Investing in housing will support workforce development and add to the vibrancy of Hardee County.

Aloha Medical

The Aloha Medical Service team is committed to providing the highest quality of service and skilled compassionate care in the medical transportation industry. Hardee County’s centralized location allows the company to serve Florida's Heartland connecting rural medicine to higher levels of care and specialty care throughout the State of Florida. The Development Group is currently in the design phase of a build to suit headquarters for Aloha Medical in the Hardee County Business Park.

Spec Building #9 - Lot 27

The Development Group is currently in the design phase of a spec building in the Hardee County Business Park. This will be the first building in the Business Park expansion and will allow The Development Group to market to businesses looking to relocate or expand in a shorter time frame. The spec building will have warehouse and office space.

Strong partnerships are essential to inspiring economic growth. Our partners include: