Florida Trend Polk Community Profile
Polk County By Susan Shalhoub Polk County has big plans. Areas like downtown Lakeland have a built-in, cool vibe that can’t be easily formulated — Lake Wales and Winter Haven have an organic character that makes them unique. Paired with strong leadership and economic development, Polk is poised to be unstoppable. PHOTO COURTESY VISIT CENTRAL FLORIDA COURTESY PHOTO FLORIDATREND.COM MAY 2020 41 POLK COUNTY “We have 17 very unique cities and dynamic business leaders, with creative Downtown Winter Haven redevelopment groups that are supported Multifaceted Economy, Location by the city and care about value and Are Polk County’s Strengths profit, not just profit.” A central location along I-4 and focus on innovation, technology and – Mike Herr City Manager, manufacturing create a place to have a real impact. City of Winter Haven Citing its business-friendly climate With its beginnings in a University of and balance of economic growth with South Florida (USF) startup program, the smaller-community character, Sean Malott, company grew in San Francisco, outsourc- president and CEO of the Central Florida ing manufacturing before deciding on Development Council, calls it a great time Lakeland for its research and advanced- to be in Polk County. He and other busi- manufacturing hub. It became official The trade, transportation ness leaders see connectedness, diversity, last year, with the company investing in and utilities industry communication, innovation and location renovation, acquiring a Lakeland address category showed as key in Polk’s upward mobility. The fact and initially hiring 12 people. Polk County’s highest that the county is on the smaller side is an The city offered tax incentives in return percentage of average attribute, he says.
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