Glades County Economic Development Council, Inc.

09/02/2026

09/02/2026

A HUGE thank you to FloridaCommerce and the Florida SBDC Network for coming to Glades County and bringing valuable resources directly into our communities!

The Glades County EDC and Hendry County Economic Development Council were proud to welcome you for the Florida Rural Business Resource Tour. Yesterday’s tour gave state partners the opportunity to see firsthand the businesses, industries, entrepreneurs, and opportunities that make our communities so special.

Stops included:
Old Okeechobee Coffee Co. Farm - Lakeport
River Forest Yachting Center - Ortona
Royal Seas Shrimp & Seafood - Everhigh Acres

The tour wrapped up at LaBelle City Hall with a FREE Public Resource Fair, giving local business owners and community members the opportunity to connect directly with organizations ready to help them grow, succeed, and navigate the resources available to them.

Thank you to everyone who participated, hosted, attended, and helped make this event such a success! We are incredibly grateful for the partnerships that help shine a light on the amazing businesses and opportunities right here in Glades and Hendry Counties.

08/31/2026

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow for the Hendry/Glades Resource Fair. Free to all

Florida's Rural Business Resource Tour’s next stop is TOMORROW, Tuesday, September 1st at the LaBelle Civic Center in LaBelle!

Learn more & register: www.FloridaSBDC.org/ruraltour

08/26/2026

Have you visited the beautiful Port LaBelle Marina lately? Watch their page for upcoming events. Drinks and Ice Cream available daily!! This is also the only marina with fuel available at the dock in Glades County.

🍂⚓ SEPTEMBER AT THE MARINA! 🤠

September is shaping up to be a good one at Port LaBelle Marina!

Whether you’ve been here before or you’ve been looking for a reason to check us out — come spend an afternoon at the Marina!

⚓ ALL ARE WELCOME!
Boaters, locals, friends & families — you don’t need a boat to enjoy the Marina!

🚚 FOOD TRUCKS — BOOK YOUR SPOT!
We’re filling our calendar for October, November & December and looking for some great food trucks to join us at the Marina!

📞 Call, text or message us for available dates.

📍 Port LaBelle Marina
Where Cowboys and Captains Collide

See less

08/14/2026

🐊🥚 THE HATCHING FESTIVAL IS BACK AT GATORAMA! 🥚🐊

One of the most uniquely Florida experiences is happening right here in Glades County!

Every year, Gatorama welcomes visitors for its annual Alligator Hatching Festival, where you can witness one of nature’s most incredible moments—a baby alligator hatching from its egg! 🐊

This is more than just a festival. It’s a hands-on wildlife experience the whole family can enjoy, with:

🐊 Live baby alligator hatchings
🥚 Opportunities to help hatch an alligator
🐊 Live alligator feeding shows
🐢 Tortoise encounters
🐍 Python encounters
🌿 Interactive wildlife exhibits
📸 Plenty of unforgettable photo opportunities

And because every hatch happens on nature’s schedule, no two visits are exactly alike! Visit Glades County for this amazing experience while tickets are still available!!

📍 Gatorama and Crocodile Adventures
6180 US Hwy 27
Palmdale, Florida

🎟️ Tickets and festival information:

Come experience one of the most unusual—and unforgettable—Florida traditions right here in Glades County!

Support local. Explore local. Experience Glades County. ❤️🌴🐊

At Gatorama, the Alligator Hatching Festival is a one-of-a-kind Florida event where you can see baby alligators hatch live all while being part of the experience. Each hatch happens on nature’s schedule, making every visit unique and giving you a rare chance to witness one of wildlife’s most exc...

08/13/2026

Florida’s Rural Business Resource Tour is a free resource fair—cohosted by FloridaCommerce and the Florida SBDC Network —bringing together federal, state and local business resources.
📝SAVE THE DATE!
The next stop on the tour is scheduled for September 1, 2026, serving Glades and Hendry Counties. Join us as we bring together local businesses and partners to showcase federal and state-level resources and assistance programs rural entrepreneurs can utilize to start, secure, grow, diversify and strengthen their businesses.

🟢Networking opportunities
🟢Meet one-on-one with SBDC consultants
🟢Discover tools to help your business succeed
🟢Learn about federal, state, & local business resources
👉Learn more & register for FREE here: https://events.blackthorn.io/en/6g3Q8Wa7/floridas-rural-business-resource-tour-hendry-and-glades-5a1eVOGEmI6/overview

This multi-agency traveling resource fair is designed to connect rural businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools, training, and support they need to thrive - all in one convenient location. Get the help you need to start, grow, and strengthen your business—right in your own backyard.

Glades County Board of County Commissioners, City of Moore Haven, Glades County Schools, Glades County Supervisor of Elections, Lake Okeechobee News - Glades County

08/07/2026

📚 WELCOME BACK, GLADES COUNTY! 🍎

The Glades County Economic Development Council is proud to welcome our students, teachers, staff, families, and administrators back on Monday for the 2026–2027 school year!

🏆 BACK-TO-BACK A’s! 🏆

Congratulations to the Glades County Schools District on earning an A rating for the second consecutive year! This achievement reflects the hard work of our students, educators, families, and school staff—and is something our entire community can celebrate.

A strong school system helps build a strong community and a strong future for Glades County.

🚌 And as we head back to school, safety starts with all of us!

Please slow down around school zones and bus stops, watch for children, stop when required for school buses, and give extra patience and space to our first-time drivers navigating school traffic.

Let’s work together to make sure every student gets to school—and back home—safely. ❤️

Wishing everyone a safe, successful, and inspiring school year!

Let’s make it another great year in Glades County! 💙💛📚

07/22/2026

🚛 Next Friday, Florida history is pulling into Glades County!

FDOT’s Florida Freedom Tour is bringing an 18-wheeler transformed into a traveling museum to Centennial Park. Step inside to explore interactive exhibits and artifacts highlighting Florida’s role in American history before and after 1776.

📅 Friday, July 31
⏰ 10 a.m.
📍 Across from the City Park
Avenue J, Moore Haven

Bring the family and experience history on the move as Florida marks America’s 250th anniversary.

Learn more at America250FL.com or follow America250FL

Weather permitting. Schedule is subject to change.

07/15/2026

TRIVIA TUESDAY!

Did you know Glades County plays a role in helping gardeners across South Florida?

❓2 Part Question:
1.) What Business based in Glades County services garden centers from Sarasota all the way to Key West, keeping vegetable, herb, and flower plants healthy and stocked. 2.) Which major home improvement stores are included in their service area?

1.)______________

2.)
A. Ace Hardware and Tractor Supply
B. Home Depot and Lowe’s
C. Walmart and K-Mart
D. All the above

👇 Drop your answers in the comments! I will reveal the answer tomorrow.

04/07/2026

Open Enrollment is now open until May 20th.
[Links are available in the comments]