Polk County is soaring into the future, powered by a thriving aviation industry anchored by its four airports: Lakeland Linder International, Winter Haven Regional, Bartow Executive and Lake Wales Municipal.
Each airport brings unique strengths, from cargo and flight training to skydiving and passenger services, and together they generate more than $2 billion in economic impact. Lakeland Linder even surpassed Tampa International in statewide cargo rankings, now sitting third behind Miami and Orlando.
Polk’s central location, year-round flight weather and access to major highways, rail and ports make it an ideal place for aviation businesses to land and expand. A welcoming business climate, with incentives for new and growing companies, reinforces Polk’s competitive advantage.
Education is another critical driver of Polk’s aviation success. The public school system operates aerospace academies at the Lakeland and Winter Haven airports, giving students hands-on training and early exposure to career pathways. The Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE) further expands opportunities, offering STEM-focused programs for children through young adults. Graduates can continue their training at Polk State College, Southeastern University or the county’s technical colleges, earning industry-ready certifications or advancing to higher degrees.
This talent development matters more than ever. The aviation industry faces significant workforce shortages — including an estimated 17,000 pilots by 2032 and 25,000 aircraft technicians by 2028 — even as Boeing projects 2.4 million new aviation jobs globally through 2044. Polk is already helping fill that gap: aviation-related employment here has grown 13% in the past year and nearly 25% over five years, with average wages around $75,600.
Polk’s aviation future is expanding even further with the recent announcement by SunTrax in Auburndale and the addition of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). SunTrax is expanding, adding vertiports, low-altitude corridors, research facilities and charging infrastructure — attracting next-generation aircraft, technology companies and high-wage jobs.
With established airports, strong talent pipelines and now the home of Florida’s AAM headquarters, Polk County isn’t just part of Florida’s aviation growth — it’s shaping the future of flight.
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 throughout his career. He has a bachelor’s degree in business management from Purdue University.