In 1993, after a number of years of informal partnerships and liaisons between the counties of inland, South Central Florida, the then Highlands County EDC Director, Betty Neale, secures an intern from the “Eunice Sullivan Economic Development Intern Programs” to update the Regional Strategic Rural Development Project of 1991, to include Hendry & Glades counties. The project included an inventory of industrial sites and buildings and a list of targeted industries.
The strategic development update led to the formal founding of 
Members of the first Board of Directors were:
Charles Bryan,
Dick Blackwell,
Ted Hite, WAUC Radio, Wauchula
Dallas
Julie Craichy, LaBelle
Frank Marsocci, Okeechobee Development Council
Jama Abbot, Wauchula,
Sonny Williams, LaBelle
Paul Whitlock,
Steve Porter, Okeechobee
Doris Gentry, SFCC,
K.S. “Butch” Jones,
Betty Neale, Sebring
In 1994, Betty Neale again secures an intern from the “Eunice Sullivan Economic Development Intern Programs” to assist in the organization of a Regional Tourism Association comprised of FHREDI counties and communities on the east side of
In 1997, The Association becomes known as
Members of the first Board of Directors were:
Minor L. Bryant,
Lowrey Markham, Okeechobee
James L. “Jimmy” Gose, Sebring
Robert R. “Bob” Allen,
Ronald A. Turner,
June Fisher,
K.S. “Butch” Jones,
Jama Abbott, Wauchula
Ann Fussell Howard, LaBelle
David E. Hazellief, Okeechobee
Jeffrey Mechlin,
For the next seven years under the direction of Executive Director Betty Neale, alliances continue to grow and the region strengthens through cooperative efforts, exchange of ideas and regular board meetings.
In 2003, the FHREDI Region is designated by the State of
In 2004, Betty Neale retires and Charlie Thompson serves a brief stint as FHREDI Executive Director. FHREDI Regional brochure receives high awards for design and content. It received an ADDY award. Later that same year, FHREDI and FFF combined Budget for FY 04/05 is $360,600. And as Executive Director, Lynn Topel hires two full-time staff.
Then came the hurricanes:
In 2005, FHREDI prioritizes top five road improvement projects for the Region, including SR 70 between US 27 and Okeechobee;
That same year, FHREDI leads the push for a Regional Housing Consortia, and grows a Small Business Development Program and helps fund the salary of its first small business director.
In 2006, FHREDI begins work with Florida DOT and Center for urban Transportation Research to conduct a rural mobility study. Study leads to ongoing Heartland Rural Mobility Plan and adds Public Transportation Coordinator to staff.
Also in 2006, then Gov. Jeb Bush signed a resolution on February 16 to re-designate South Central Florida as an area of critical economic concern: DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands and Okeechobee counties and adding to it the cites of Pahokee, Belle Glade, South Bay, and the community of Immokalee. The Re-designation is good through 2011. This same year, FHREDI holds Visioning Workshops in every corner of the FHREDI Region to help build a roadmap to the future.
Bridging 2006 and 2007, FHREDI conducts a Broadband Feasibility Study with the help of an $110,000 Rural Infrastructure Fund Grant.
Also in 2007, after months of meetings throughout the Region,
2008 was a year of transitions: Lynn Topel retires; Cheryl Sharp serves as Interim Director; Jim Otterman hired as Executive Director; 10th Circuit Judge Olin Shinholser rules in favor of FHREDI confirming it’s a private, not-for-profit organization that operates on private and public membership dues and donations to stimulate the economies of member counties, communities and businesses; U.S. Sugar dominates newspaper headlines; Inland Port concept moves ahead.
2009 might well be remembered as The Year of Broadband, during which FHREDI applies for Federal Stimulus money for a Middle-Mile Broadband Project. That same year, Jim Otterman resigns; Lynn Topel is re-hired as Executive Director; and Butch Jones is recognized for his FHREDI/FFF board leadership: serving as Vice Chair from 1996-2000, Chairman of the Board from 2000-2009, and Vice Chair starting in 2010. DeSoto County Commissioner Ronald Neads is elected FHREDI Chairman of the Board.
2010 develops as The Year of Broadband, Part #2. In late August 2010, after much work on a Round 2 Grant Application, FHREDI/Opportunity Florida (as FRBA: Florida Rural Broadband Alliance) was awarded a nearly $24 million grant to implement a middle-mile broadband access project in the 14-county area. In September, the FHREDI Board elects Mandy Hines, DeSoto County Coordinator, as Chairman of the Board and Lynn Topel announces her resignation as Executive Director of FHREDI/FFF effective the last day of 2010. The Executive Committee forms the search committee and begins the process of hiring a new Executive Director.
2011 Gina Reynolds, IOM, is selected as the new CEO of FHREDI/FFF and takes hold of the reins on February 1st.
