The Improvement League of Plant City was founded in 1982. The mission of the organization is to foster equitable opportunities for residents regardless of age, race, sex, or religion throughout the greater Plant City area.
Partnering with other local organizations has been the philosophy of the Improvement League since it began. The organization does this to force multiply—to accomplish Improvement League goals, and to support partners with which they align. Improvement League members support the United Food Bank of Plant City, Plant City History & Photo Archives, Plant City Economic Development Corporation (EDC), the Plant City Arts Council, Future Career Academy, the East Hillsborough Law Enforcement Dinner, and the Plant City Chamber of Commerce. And people from these organizations lend a hand to Improvement League events and initiatives.
“We are a fully engaged, non-profit organization that has been conscious of the community since its founding,” President of the Board William Thomas said. “We don’t do everything. As we have examined our organization over the years, and realigned based on our history, we have four focus areas—economic development, workforce development, quality of life, and cultural.”
Quality of Life
The Improvement League manages the Coronet Development—1,100 acres that included a phosphate mine that operated for 100 years. The mine closed in 2004. In a joint effort with the Environmental Protection Agency, the Improvement League serves as a voice to the city and the EDC on behalf of nearby residents to speak into what will be built on it. “We think light industrial is appropriate for that area,” Thomas said.
Another role of the Improvement League is to preserve the character of the historic Lincoln and Madison Park neighborhoods. Most recently, they served as a catalyst to add white and red bands on top of street signs to identify the historic neighborhoods.
After Hurricane Milton, the Improvement League passed out emergency food rations in partnership with the EDC.
The annual Blues & Berries is not a minority event. It is a quality-of-life event. “Plant City was known as a place where kids grew up, they left, and never came back,” Thomas said. The purpose of Blues & Berries is to bring vibrancy to Plant City, so young people are attracted to live in the community.
The Improvement League has also promoted community forums and events so that residents can engage with city government to be able to discuss their concerns. The purpose is to open doors so residents can see the city and elected officials as partners and not opponents, and so residents can have a hand in getting things done to make Plant City a better place.
The Improvement League offers free assistance for veterans every Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. “That veteran’s program is definitely a key signature program that we love,” Thomas commented. “We look forward to doing that for a long time.” The volunteers who help are highly skilled at working through the rigorous process and red tape to get veterans the right benefits. This program has helped more than 3,000 veterans.
During the Covid pandemic, the Improvement League, led by Thomas, networked through Hillsborough County government, and its Health Department, to advocate for vaccines for those on the margins who were being overlooked. The successful campaign resulted in a vaccine site set up at Glover School in Bealsville. On the cold, rainy day, at 6:30 a.m. a line wound its way around the property, and 515 people were vaccinated. “That was the most memorable moment for me, because, being an Army medic, I truly believe we saved lives that day,” Thomas commented.
Economic Development
The Improvement League takes on a vital role in promoting a healthy economy. “We advocate for the city to invest in the neighborhoods that we serve,” Thomas said. When the Plant City Economic Development Corporation was first founded, The Improvement League made the case to the EDC that for the community to develop economically, it needed the amenity of a community sports facility. The result is the $11 million Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center, which opened in August 2020.
Workforce Development
The Improvement League fosters opportunities for young people to be trained in technical jobs that make a good income. One way they do this is through their forensic science program, which is taught by the former head of the Polk County Sheriff’s Department’s forensic lab. The organization also partners with Workforce Development Partners to open doors to good jobs in technical fields. Each year the Improvement League awards scholarships, ranging from $1,000 to $2,500, to graduating high school seniors for their community service accomplishments. The scholarships are for students going on to technical, trade or college education.
Cultural
The Improvement League puts on the annual Plant City Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Festival, The Taste of Laura Street Food-Forks-Fun Fest, and the Emancipation Day celebration. It also oversees the Bing Rooming House Museum, and lends bookkeeping support to Gentlemen’s Quest at Marshall Middle Magnet School.
The Improvement League of Plant City is a 501(c)3 non-profit, community development corporation. One way to support its work is to become a member—for which there is an annual fee. Those who are interested can contact the Improvement League, or join one of its regular meetings every third Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the Bing Rooming House Museum to find out more.
Hurricane Milton flooded the first floor of the Bing Rooming House Museum. Estimates of the cost to repair the museum and prevent future flooding are $200,000. In addition to repairing damage, the plan is to raise the foundation by four feet to keep it above any future flood. The Improvement League is seeking 4,000 people to donate $25 to, “Repair, Raise, Restore,” the museum. So far, they have raised $25,000. The goal is to obtain the full $200,000, and have the project completed, by the end of summer. There is an urgency to get this done since hurricane season is quickly approaching.
The organization is currently seeking new members for its board of directors. There is a vetting process candidates have to go through to be placed on the board.
The next Improvement League happening is the Summer Solstice Soiree—a street dining event at the Bing House on June 21. Tickets can be purchased on the League’s web site.
For more information contact:
wthomas@improvementleague.com
(813) 704-5800
