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International

The CFDC would like to thank Enterprise Florida for their support!

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Polk County: Changing With the World

The Central Florida Development Council’s International Trade program promotes the diversification of our economy and stimulates the financial growth of existing companies. The Florida Economic Development Council recognized our Interntional Trade & Foreign Direct Investment Program with its statewide 2009 Excellence in International Business Award.

Polk County hosts 91 foreign owned companies and branches.  Leading countries having business ownership in Central Florida include Germany, Great Britain, Canada, France, Japan and Switzerland.  The primary industries representing foreign direct investment include manufacturing, wholesale trade, retail trade and professional services.

 Using a $60,000 grant from Enterprise Florida to promote foreign direct investment and international trade opportunities, the CFDC led a delegation of 15 business leaders, educators and community leaders on a mission in February 2009 to France, Great Britain and the Czech Republic. The mission proved more successful than imagined, resulting in partnering opportunities with numerous universities, research centers, incubators, councils, associations and businesses. The same state grant funded a mission to the Paris Air Show in June 2009 where business and education leaders marketed the numerous aviation assets of Polk County as well as making follow-up calls from the February 2009 mission.

Soon after its participation in the February 2009 CFDC International Trade Mission, the University of South Florida Polytechnic announced the signing of a collaborative agreement with France’s Euromed Marseille School of Management and a program to host students from Polytech Marseille. The trip also offered USF Polytechnic and CFDC management valuable insights on management techniques for operating a world class incubator.

The Central Floreida Development Council continues to aggressively respond to ttade leads and to assist Polk County businesses expand their  international trade opportunities.

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