County announces new flood maps

Osceola County has released updated digital flood hazard maps that show the extent to which areas throughout the county are at risk for flooding.

The new maps mark the first time in 10 years that a comprehensive re-examination has been conducted using up-to-date available data.

According to a county press release, the information reveals that approximately 11,000 properties might be affected. The first public open house on the new maps will be Tuesday at The Osceola County Board of County Commissioners Chambers, 1 Courthouse Square, Suite 4100, fourth floor, Kissimmee.

The open house will give residents the opportunity to view the new maps, understand how their properties may be affected and learn more about financial steps they may need to take to make decisions about protecting themselves and their properties.

The updated flood hazard maps are still preliminary and have not yet been officially adopted. Between Tuesday and running for 90 days, there will be a public comment period where property owners can submit appeals and protests if they disagree with the maps. Once these comments are received and addressed, the maps are expected to be adopted in the late summer of 2012. At that time, the new insurance requirements will take effect.

To learn more about the flood map modernization project, view the new digital flood maps, dates and location of upcoming meetings, residents can visit http://www.osceola.org/go/floodplain.

Small business seminars in Haines City

The Central Florida Development Council’s Small Business Development Center will host two seminars Tuesday, Aug. 30, in Haines City.

Designed to help budding entrepreneurs start a new business and to assist new and existing company managers complete a thorough business plan, the two seminars will take place at the Haines City – Northeast Polk County Regional Chamber of Commerce, 35610 U.S. Highway 27.

Steps to Starting A New Business will be from 9:30 a.m. to noon and will cost $35.

Building the Ultimate Business Plan will be from 1:30-4:30 p.m. This seminar teaches participants how to research a target market and write a business plan. The $70 class fee includes the Ultimate Business Planner software.

Make reservations for the two Haines City seminars at www.polksbdc.org. For more information about the seminars or other services offered by the agency, call 863-534-5915.

Visit Polk County on the web, www.polk-county.net.

Expressway Authority has logo contest

Osceola County is holding a logo contest for the recently established Osceola County Expressway Authority.

The logo will be used on the authority’s website, plans and other official documents.

The authority was established in 2010 by Florida Statute and is tasked with constructing expressways.

The contest ends Friday, Sept. 23, at 5 p.m. The winning logo will be selected in early October and will be announced at that time. A $500 savings bond will be awarded to the winner.

Logo designs should be submitted in a vector format (.AI, .EPS, .CDR, .SVG) created using a vector-based program, such as Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw or other comparable software. Submissions may also include a raster image of the logo (.TIF, .JPG, .GIF), along with the vector submission, for example purposes.

Send all submittals in electronic format along with name, phone number and e-mail address, to: Michelle Beamon, Osceola County BOCC, at mbea@osceola.org.

The authority will own and be able to alter the logo as it sees fit. Osceola County employees may not apply; however, family members of employees may participate.

For more information, contact Michelle Beamon at 407-742-0293.

Water district now accepting project applications

The South Florida Water Management District is now accepting applications to fund water conservation projects through the Water Savings Incentive Program in fiscal year 2012.

Applications are due to the district by 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7.

The program provides matching funds up to $50,000 to public or private water providers, large users or homeowners/condominium associations for installing water-saving technology. Previous projects implemented with district assistance have included high-efficiency irrigation equipment, low-flow indoor plumbing retrofits and soil moisture and rain sensors.

The district’s website provides more information and application materials for the Water Savings Incentive Program.