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Top 15 Employers

Top Employers in Polk County

Polk County School Board

Employment: 14,000; Hiring freeze.

Publix Super Markets

Employment: 9,500; Plus 300 jobs and new stores under construction/remodeling.

Wal-Mart

Employment: 5,100; Plus 400 jobs and new stores under construction/remodeling for Super Centers.

Polk County Government (counts constitutionals)

Employment: 4,700; Even for year (steady). Jobs may be declining.

Lakeland Regional Medical Center

Employment: 4,600; Steady employment. Recently purchased a 40,000 sf building (5-story) for expansion. $5 million project.

State of Florida

Employment: 4,300; Hiring freeze. Jobs declining.

MOSAIC

Employment: 4,000 in region. Jobs declining. 400 positions in Mulberry will be moving to Brandon area as new 113,000 sf corporate headquarters is under construction in Hillsborough County. $20 million project.

Winter Haven Hospital

Employment: 2,500; Steady employment; recently received $23 million Industrial Revenue Bond to continue renovations at the hospital. Last year completed a $43 million expansion.

City of Lakeland

Employment: 2,500; Hiring freeze.

GEICO Insurance

Employment: 2,000; Will add 450 new jobs in next year.

State Farm Insurance

Employment: approx. 1,800; Facing loss of 300 jobs in next fiscal year.

Watson Clinic

Employment: 1,500; Employment steady. Recently completed 50,000 sf expansion. $14 million project.

Federal Government

Employment: 1,400; Steady. Post Office will lay off 36 from downtown Lakeland office.

GC Services (call center)

Employment: 1,000; Steady but rapid turn-over in positions.

Florida’s Natural Growers

Employment: 1,000 in season; Steady.
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