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Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)
Overview
The Winter Haven Community Redevelopment Agency, established in 2000, fosters and promotes community redevelopment activities in two designated districts: Downtown and Florence Villa.
The CRA is a “special district” under Florida Statute. Activities of the CRA are detailed in redevelopment plans customized for each district and include:
- Infrastructure Improvements
- Streetscaping or Beautification
- Affordable Housing
- Recreation & Park Facility Improvements
- Economic Development
- Transportation
- Neighborhood Enhancement
The CRA is operated by a Board of Directors, including the five current City Commissioners and two City residents. The board receives input from two advisory committees, one for each district.
The CRA is primarily funded through Tax Increment Financing (TIF), a process of capturing property tax revenues that would normally go to Polk County and the City. TIF funds are deposited into a Redevelopment Trust Fund that can then be spent on specific projects or used to leverage additional financing for larger projects.
The City of Winter Haven is offering FREE, on-demand Small Business Training designed to help your business grow and adapt.
Choose from learning paths like Business Modernization, Retail & Omni-Channel Strategies, Restaurant Resiliency, Property Owner Tools, and more.
- Available for 12 months from the date of enrollment for each learner.
- Learn at your own pace
- Open to local businesses and entrepreneurs
Sign up today!
Need help enrolling? Contact us!
Angela Hibbard
CRA Manager
ahibbard@mywinterhaven.com
863.292.8046
CRA Grant Applications
- Resolution R-CRA-21-01 (PDF)
- Community Redevelopment Agency Incentive Application 2022 (PDF)
- Downtown CRA Commercial Facade Grant Application (PDF)
- Florence Villa CRA Commercial Facade Grant Application (PDF)
- Florence Villa CRA Residential Improvement Grant Application (PDF)
- Downtown CRA Residential Improvement Grant Application (PDF)
- Sidewalk Cafe Furniture Incentive Application (PDF)
- Alleyway Reimbursement Application (PDF)
Small Business Support Grant
This grant program is available exclusively to businesses located within the City of Winter Haven Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) district. Eligible businesses must have a physical storefront or office within the CRA boundaries and meet all program requirements.
Businesses located outside of the Winter Haven CRA district are not eligible to apply. If you are unsure whether your business is located within the CRA area, please contact us for verification.
Community Redevelopment Agency
Redevelopment Plans
Boundary Maps
Annual Reports
- CRA Goals, Objectives, and Performance Metrics Report 2024 – 2025
- Community Redevelopment Agency Annual Report 2023-2024 (PDF)
- Community Redevelopment Agency Annual Report 2022-2023 - Final (PDF)
- Community Redevelopment Agency - 2021 Financial Statements (PDF)
- Community Redevelopment Agency Annual Report 2021 to 2022 (PDF)
- Community Redevelopment Agency Annual Report Fiscal Year 2020 to 2021 (PDF)
Agenda Packets
FY 2025 - FY2026 Budget
Downtown CRA Fund
CRA Downtown Fund Overview
Downtown Community Redevelopment Agency
Non-Departmental - Downtown
Florence Villa CRA Fund
CRA Florence Villa Fund Overview
Florence Villa Community Redevelopment Agency
Non-Departmental - Florence Villa
Reserved Parking Program
The City of Winter Haven has the ability to lease up to 10% of all individual spaces located within City-owned parking facilities on a year-to-year basis. This includes spaces located in the Downtown Parking Garage and designated City-owned surface lots in the Downtown area. For more information, contact the CRA.