published: Sunday, October 21, 2012

Sebring CRA budgets $100,000 to attract new restaurants

Special to the News-Sun

SEBRING - The Sebring Community Redevelopment Agency has budgeted $100,000 in the 2012-2013 budget for its Restaurant Incentive Program, which is designed to assist new restaurants locating or relocating in the Sebring CRA district, which encompasses a total of 650 acres. With the addition of new restaurants, retail, attractions and events in the past two years, it is estimated that 200,000 pedestrians visit the Downtown Sebring area each year bringing foot traffic and a sense of community that highway and strip mall locations don't offer.

Incentive funds can be used to make the leasehold improvements necessary to license and permit a restaurant.

"We know that restaurants are a huge draw for downtowns, so we have created this Restaurant Incentive Program to attract established restauranteurs to re-locate or establish another location in Downtown Sebring," CRA chair Kelly Cosgrave said. "Downtown Sebring is a beautiful, historic location that is ideal for fine dining establishments, coffee shops, bakeries, wine bars and other specialty food retailers."

The CRA has already helped fund several successful restaurants, including McLane's Garden Cafe that won the 2012 Highlands County Economic Development Commission (EDC) Start Up Business of the Year.

Contact Robin Hinote at 471-5104 or email RobinHinote@MySebring.com. For more information about the CRA and Downtown Sebring, visit www.DowntownSebring.org for more information.