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Life Sciences & Medical Services

Polk County – Changing Lives in Florida’s Biotechnology Cluster

  • Polk County is at the center of Florida’s thriving life sciences cluster and the Florida High Tech Corridor. Within a 100-mile radius reside 8.6 million people, the largest population center in the Southeastern United States. This strategic platform allows easy access to three of the region’s leading research universities: the University of South Florida in Tampa, the University of Central Florida in Orlando and the University of Florida in Gainesville.
  • Life Science businesses and research centers in our community also enjoy a close proximity to the Burnham Institute for Medical Research in Orlando, the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute in Tampa, the Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies in Port St. Lucie, SRI International in Tampa Bay and the Scripps Research Institute on the campus of Florida Atlantic University.
  • These major research institutions surrounding Polk County anchor a life sciences sector in Florida which today numbers nearly 600 companies specializing in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, employing 28,000 professionals with an additional 626,000 persons working in the health-care fields.
  • The new University of South Florida (USF) Polytechnic campus, to be built on Interstate 4 in Lakeland in 2010, will be a teaching and research magnet for students and businesses interested in health care and health sciences, medical devices, diagnostics, industrial/environmental and biotechnology. Polk County is also home to nine additional colleges and technical centers, including Polk State College which has a large health-care enrollment.
  • Drawing off the tremendous success of the University of Central Florida Technology Incubator in Orlando and the Sid Martin Biotechnology Development Incubator in Gainesville, the Central Florida Development Council (CFDC) is planning to establish a new technology incubator on or near the campus of the new USF Polytechnic. The incubator will be designed to assist emerging businesses in some of the CFDC’s key industry sectors including Life Sciences, Food Technologies and Technology.
  • More than 900 medical, health care and biotechnology companies supporting 20,000 employees are located in Polk County, including two regional cancer treatment and research centers, seven major hospitals and clinics, Ascent Healthcare Solutions (reprocessing medical devices), Advanced Concept Innovations (contract packaging or kitting of medical, nutraceutical and consumer products), Doyen Medipharm (manufacturer of medical wrapping equipment), FTSI (cobalt irradiation of medical equipment and solutions) and InfoMed Technologies (software for medical information). In addition, Cardinal Health and McKesson distribute pharmaceutical products from centers in Polk County.
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