IN THE NEWS

An article published in The Apopka Voice discusses the potential elimination of Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs) in Florida due to two bills being considered by the legislature. CRAs are special government entities designed to revitalize economically distressed areas by promoting infrastructure improvements, affordable housing, and economic development. If these bills pass, CRAs could cease to exist by 2045, with the House bill (HB 991) posing a more immediate threat by halting funding for new projects after October 2025.

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Clifford B. "Cliff" Shepard, Apopka City Attorney and General Counsel of the Florida Redevelopment Association (FRA), played a key role in alerting the City Council about the impact of the two bills being considered by the legislature. At the March 19th meeting, Shepard explained that the bills would end CRAs by 2045, but the House bill specifically would halt funding for new CRA projects after October 2025. He voiced concerns over the potential consequences, particularly for cities like Apopka, which rely on CRAs for funding infrastructure, affordable housing, and small business development. Shepard has been actively involved in lobbying efforts to address these bills and remains cautiously optimistic that the Senate bill, which is less restrictive, may be the more likely outcome.

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The elimination of CRAs could significantly affect local communities, including Apopka and Orange County, by slowing economic development, halting affordable housing projects, and potentially increasing financial burdens on local governments to fund redevelopment efforts. If the bills pass, local leaders will need to find alternative ways to finance redevelopment, which could slow down progress and lead to unfinished projects.