Economic Development Districts (EDDs)
and States: Collaborating for Success
Caroline Smith
Apalachee Regional Planning
Council
Economic Development Manager
(850) 488-6211 ext. 108
CSmith@arpc.org
Examples from Apalachee Regional Planning
Council (ARPC) and the State of Florida

OVERVIEW OF FLORIDA’S EDDs
Florida’s 10 Regional Planning Councils
Florida’s Regional Planning Councils (RPCs) serve as EDA-
designated Economic Development Districts (EDDs). The RPCs
coordinate with each other via the Florida Regional Councils
Association (FRCA).
RPCs and the State of Florida
RPCs have been rebuilding and reshaping relationship with
State of Florida by:
1. Demonstrating effectiveness of administering state
program at the regional level
2. Seeking new pathways for partnerships with state agencies
3. Strengthening existing pathways

The Franklin-98 project followed the 2017-2019 Shoreline
Habitats and Resilient Coasts (SHaRC) Project:
• Funding from FDEP
• Identified 25 top-priority sites for investment to increase
coastal resiliency
Franklin-98 Project:
• 2020-2025
• Planning, stakeholder engagement, and preliminary design
concluded in 2021 (funded by FDEP)
• Currently in Year 3 – permitting, construction, and monitoring
(funded by NFWF)
Project Restoration Goals
• 20 acres of new reef
• 30 acres of new marsh
Project Benefits
• Increased ecosystem productivity/diversity
• Shoreline stabilization
• Community resiliency, education & cooperation
• Economic development
PROJECT: FRANKLIN-98

Statewide Hurricane Evacuation Studies
2020-2021 Project
Studies administered by EDDs because of local
knowledge, relationships, and regional outlook.
Funding provided by legislative appropriation to
FL Division of Emergency Management (FDEM).
Agreement with Northeast Florida Regional
Council to manage funding and update. RPCs
conducted surge modelling and partnered with
private sector to conduct analyses of shelters,
behavior, demographics, and transportation.
PROJECT: STATEWIDE HURRICANE EVALUATION STUDIES
2012
SURGE
2020
SURGE
Project Outcomes:
• Surge updated
• Evacuation zones
stayed the same
• Regional
evacuation
studies updated

Project: Competitive Florida -
St. Marks
Riverfront Economic Development
Strategic Planning
• Funded by umbrella grant
program offered by Florida
Dept. of Economic
Opportunity (DEO)
• DEO partners with EDDs to
carry out county- and city-level
economic development
planning
• Local leaders and EDD staff
lead planning process with
participation from state
agencies
• 10 communities in ARPC
Region funded since 2014
PROJECT: COMPETITIVE FLORIDA – ST. MARKS

Economic Development Districts (EDDs)
and States: Collaborating for Success
Caroline Smith
Apalachee Regional Planning
Council
Economic Development Manager
(850) 488-6211 ext. 108
CSmith@arpc.org
Examples from Apalachee Regional Planning
Council (ARPC) and the State of Florida