The Central Florida Development Council’s mission is to attract quality businesses to Polk and help existing companies expand, enhancing our tax base and increasing the availability of jobs – a mission that in some ways grew from impacts to the citrus industry in the mid-80’s.
In 1985, 300 business leaders met at the Bartow Civic Center to discuss promoting local businesses and tourism. The county understood there was a need to diversify its economic base as shifts in the citrus and phosphate industries were beginning to take shape. The Economic Development Council of Polk County was incorporated as a public-private partnership; the name changed to the CFDC in 1990 to further promote Polk’s strategic central location.
In 2019, Polk County was recognized by the Florida Chamber as having the most economically diverse economy in the state. That diversification has grown from mining and citrus to healthcare, aviation, logistics and manufacturing — strong industry sectors that continue to foster innovation and the creation of jobs for Polk County residents.
Through the changes, the CFDC remains supportive of agriculture, agri-business and agri-tech in Polk County, and, in turn, companies like Ben Hill Griffin, Mosaic and The Story Companies, and organizations such as the Florida Farm Bureau, are investors in the CFDC. Emery Smith of Ben Hill Griffin serves as vice chair of the CFDC board, and Kyle Story of The Story Companies assists the CFDC team as chair of the Competitiveness and Advocacy Committee.
The CFDC team is well positioned to assist companies in exploring opportunities available to them by locating in Polk. We are here to help businesses and land owners implement innovative strategies that drive economic growth and engagement now and into the future.
Connect to new opportunities today! For more information, you can find us at www.cfdc.org or 863-937-4430.
This column is sponsored by the Central Florida Development Council, and the opinions expressed herein may not reflect those of CFAN or of its advertisers.
Sean Malott is President & CEO of the Central Florida Development Council, which he has led since 2016. He has directed economic development and worked on business partnerships in a variety of roles through his career. He has a bachelor’s degree in business management from Purdue University.
