ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LEAD TEAM
The Economic Development Team is committed to seeking adjustments to area economic development incentives to improve the balance between the needs of the Polk County community and the needs of companies making location and expansion decisions .
The Team is actively engaged in formulating a tactical plan in aligning resources to :
• Develop and maintain a competitively funded , forward-thinking economic development program that is focused on targeted sectors with high-skill , high-wage jobs .
• Develop a progressive countywide economic development image for internal and external marketing .
• Create an environment that attracts and retains diverse talent .
• Expand opportunities for tourism , sports , and cultural arts which make Polk County a destination of choice .
• Support regional and super-regional partnerships to advance Polk County ’ s economic development efforts .
Vision Before 2030 , Polk County will have an economic development environment that attracts quality businesses with higher paying jobs , improves productivity and retains our youth .
Rob Clancey , Bartow EDC
Betsy Cleveland , Haines City Chamber of Commerce
Steve Elias , Envisors Gene Fultz , City of Lake Wales Nicole Irby , BB & T Bank Cyndi Jantomaso , Haines City EDC Cedric Joseph , BoCC
Kevin Kieft , Lake Wales Chamber & EDC
Joe LaCascia , City of Polk City Bruce Lyon , Winter Haven EDC
Sean Malott , Central Florida Development Council
Jerry Miller , Duke Energy
BENCHMARK
Increase the average earnings per job to an annual rate that is at least 0.5 % above the State of Florida .
Average Annual Wages
BENCHMARK
Narrow the gap between the Polk County and the State of Florida taxable value ad valorem per resident on annual basis .
Taxable Value per Capita
Amy Palmer , City of Auburndale William Roll , Kimley-Horn
Cory Skeates , Lakeland Chamber of Commerce
James Slaton , City of Lake Wales
Michael Spake , MHA , JD , Lakeland Regional Health
$ 31,163
$ 39,362 $ 34,427
$ 46,239 In Polk County the taxable value per capita is only 56 % of the State figure .
$ 52,021
$ 75,941
15 % |
$ 42,690
$ 36,054
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56 % |
Polk County ’ s |
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current average |
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annual wage is |
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2004 |
2015 |
15 % lower than |
2004 |
2015 |
2002 |
2015 |
2002 |
2015 |
2002 |
2015 |
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|
the state average . |
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POLK COUNTY FLORIDA POLK COUNTY
FLORIDA POLK % OF STATE
68 %
15
Source : Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Source : Florida Department of Revenue