The Economic Council of Okeechobee strives to be the catalyst that moves people to make positive changes in our social, economic and political world.

Mission Statement

The Economic Council of Okeechobee is a not-for-profit, non-governmental, non-partisan organization which promotes the sound and judicious economic growth of Okeechobee County, Florida. Its membership is comprised of the top industry, business and professional leaders of the community. It is to be involved with the social, economic and political processes of the County and is to act as a catalyst between the public and private sectors to foster dialogue, planning and action.

Click Here to download our Membership Application

Economic Council of Okeechobee members celebrated 20 years of service to Okeechobee with a luncheon at Pine Creek Sporting Club. This photo represents the original Board of Directors from 1990 and the current Board of Directors for 2010. Pictured from left to right are, front row, Jeff Sumner, Bobby Tucker, Libby Maxwell, Donna Helton, Jenny Pung, Sandy Perry, Mary Jo O'Dell, and Joanna Hoover, and back row, Jon Geitner, Nick Blount, Hoot Worley, Ed Walpole, Wes Williamson, Sonny Williamson, Tom Hebel, Gil Culbreth, Phil Berger, Joe Mullins, Christa Luna and Chuck Syfrett. Photo by Sandra Pearce Photography.
The Economic Council's Quality of Life Committee meets with concerned citizens of Okeechobee to discuss efforts to beautify our community. Pictured left to right are Michael Hazellief, Bob Riedel, Jenny Pung, John Gurney, Phyllis Shumate, JD Mixon, Toni Doyle, Carl Shumate, Maureen Burroughs, Sonny Williamson and Josephine O'Mallan. The group is meeting regularly in an attempt to improve the appearance of Okeechobee and encourage economic development. Please do what you can to help keep Okeechobee beautiful!
Members of the Economic Council of Okeechobee met on June 1st with Chairman of the Okeechobee Legislative Delegation, State Representative Mike Horner. Pictured are (L-R): Connie Vanassche, Tara Minton, Robbie Chartier, Dale Milita, Rep. Horner, Jon Geitner, Sandy Perry, Hoot Worley, and Maureen Budjinski. Horner provided the group with a legislative update from the recent session.

The Economic Council of Okeechobee meets once a month with an invited speaker. Meetings are held at Indian River State College in the Williamson Conference & Education Center Auditorium. For more information, please contact Tara Minton at (863) 467-0200.
Jenny Pung, Chair of the Economic Council of Okeechobee Quality of Life Committee, presents Angela King, Assistant Branch Manager for MIDFLORIDA Credit Union, with the Community Award Recognizing Enhancement (CARE) certificate honoring the voluntary enhancement of the appearance of the business located at 3261 U.S. Highway 441 South in Okeechobee.

The Economic Council of Okeechobee developed this quarterly award to acknowledge and promote the beautification businesses such as MIDFLORIDA Credit Union have implemented to improve our special community, realizing that first impressions and aesthetics are important factors to visitors and potential investors.

The improvements made by MIDFLORIDA Credit Union occurred in spring 2010 and took approximately four months to complete. The existing building was completely remodeled and the landscaping was replaced. According to Rhonda Olivia, Administrator of Facilities for MIDFLORIDA Credit Union, “We received rave reviews regarding the location, as well as the design. Our members are very happy with our move and the renovations for the community. “
Members of the Growth Management Committee of the Economic Council of Okeechobee, met recently with County Commission Chair Margaret Garrard Helton, Interim County Administrator Robbie Chartier and County Planning Director Bill Royce to discuss recent changes to growth management legislation and potential impacts for Okeechobee.

Pictured are (L-R): Robbie Chartier, Margaret Garrard Helton, Hoot Worley, Ted Kelchner, Robert Lee, Dawn Hoover, Nick Blount, Jose Rasco, Bill Royce, and Committee Chair Jeff Sumner.

ECO Committees meet on a monthly basis. Please contact the Economic Council for more information about getting involved in the Okeechobee community by participating through one of our active committees.
PSB&J Project Managers Kim Warren and Jason Lyle review plans for the FDOT US 441/SR 70 Intersection Improvement Project to members of the Economic Council of Okeechobee. The project is currently in FDOT's 5-Year Work Plan and is estimated to cost over $9 million and be completed by March 2015. The Economic Council will continue to follow this important project for Okeechobee.

ECO Celebrates 20 Years!

DSC_3744_smallest_for_web The Economic Council of Okeechobee celebrated 20 years of servic

Economic Council Co-Hosts Political Forum

Political_Forum_100410_7_smallest_for_web The Economic Council to

ECO & AgCouncil Co-Host Legislative Luncheon

The Economic Council of Okeechobee and Okeechobee Area Agri-Council co-host the Legislative Luncheon

The Economic Council of Okeechobee strives to be the catalyst that moves people to make positive changes in our social, economic and political world.

Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge

Economic Council of Okeechobee members learned about the proposed Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge during their meeting on Wednesday, March 2nd at Indian River State College. Pictured are LeeAnn Adams from Adams Ranch, Charlie Pelizza, Susan Trokey and Keenan Adams, representatives from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, standing in front of a map of the refuge study area. The deadline for public comment on the proposal has been extended to March 31st. Please visit this site for more information on the proposal: http://www.fws.gov/southeast/greatereverglades/.

Machek meets with ECO on USDA Rural Development

Machek_with_Syfretts_080410_small_for_web USDA State Director Richard Machek, along with Charles Syfrett and Chuck Syfrett from Syfrett Feed Company, attended the Economic Council of Okeechobee membership meeting at the Indian River State College Dixon-Hendry Campus. Mr. Machek spoke to the group about USDA's Rural Development Program and it's four Divisions which support community projects, business loans, alternative energy projects, and multi-family housing projects. Mr. Machek would like to come back to Okeechobee with each Division Director for a "Vision Day" with local officials to determine how the Okeechobee community could benefit from the Rural Development Program. For more information about Rural Development, please contact the Regional District Office in West Palm Beach which serves Okeechobee.

Economic Council discusses County's Long Range Transportation Plan

KHA_090110_small_for_web The Economic Council of Okeechobee held their monthly membership meeting at the Indian River State College Williamson Conference and Education Center. Pictured are Jason Matson and Nicholas Mora, Planning Engineers with Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc., along with County Planning Director Bill Royce and Economic Council Director Libby Maxwell. The invited speakers presented a draft version of the County's Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) complete with maps of local transportation improvement needs for 2020 and 2035, as well as a cost-feasibility map. During the meeting, members also received updates from representatives of the County, City, School Board, South Florida Water Management District, and Indian River State College.

Joint Economic Council Social at Walpole Ranch

Over 100 members and friends of the Economic Councils of Okeechobee and Martin Counties gathered together at the beautiful Walpole Ranch recently to relax and socialize. A great meal, including Okeechobee's famous swamp cabbage, was enjoyed by all. Special thanks to The Walpole Family, Becker Tree Farm, Florida Power & Light, Seacoast National Bank, E.W. Consultants, and McNicholas & Associates for sponsoring this fantastic event!