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Business Assistance

The Economic Development Group offers its clients a full complement of services from finding a building or property to making referrals for training labor and for finding financing. Our experienced staff is also available to assist in expediting permitting of a project and with providing detailed demographic reports enabling company managers to make informed, up to date decisions.

Staff from the Economic Development Group are very experienced in international trade and foreign direct investment. In the past three years, the CFDC has assisted 7 international companies create 510 new direct jobs and generate nearly $178 million in foreign direct investment throughout our community. The Florida Economic Development Council recognized the CFDC’s International Trade & Foreign Direct Investment Program by presenting its 2009 Excellence in International Business Award to our organization.

The most important element of our assistance is our Business Retention and Expansion program designed to help our family of businesses continue growing in our great business climate. We welcome the opportunity to help your company find a location in our community or to help with your continued growth and expansion.

Testimonials
"The county's business environment and the ongoing support of the CFDC have helped us achieve [our] goal for many years and we look forward to our continued partnership."
- Charles Matthews, VP Operations, Florida's Natural Growers
"We initially targeted Polk County because of its obvious logistical advantages, but we were immediately impressed by the tremendous support and cooperation we received from the CFDC. A building can be built anywhere, but what makes a project...successful is a cooperative relationship with community leaders and the availability of a dedicated and reliable workforce."
- David Behm, VP, Aldi Inc.
"From a personal and business perspective, being new to Polk County has been a very positive experience. We are excited to live and work in Polk County and look forward to what the future has to bring in terms of growth and opportunities."
- Stacy Hackworth, Facility Manager, Ferguson
"We found the economic development atmosphere and support from Polk County to be a true asset in our decision to locate our new, state-of-the-art facility in Lakeland. When you are building the most advanced manufacturing facility your industry has ever seen, you have to have confidence in the long-term commitment of the community. We found just that in Polk County and are pleased to be one of their newest business neighbors and partners."
- Ross Dalton, President, GTECH Printing Corporation
"In 1962, State Farm opened its doors in Winter Haven, which is now our Florida headquarters. We are so proud to be a part of this great Polk County community. Polk County provides State Farm with a workforce that brings diverse talents and experiences to provide the quality service our State Farm customers expect and deserve."
- Jim Thompson, Sr. Vice President, State Farm Insurance