Made in Polk: Celebrating Manufacturing Excellence on MFG Day

October 3, 2025 • News

Observed annually on first Friday of October, Manufacturing Day celebrates the industry’s impact across the nation – and nowhere is that impact more evident than in Polk County, FL. Polk leads the way, offering the blueprint for success for manufacturers.

Why is Polk a prime location for manufacturing companies? Consider a few factors:

In August 2025, nonagricultural employment in Polk County was 278,300, an increase of 3,600 jobs, or 1.3%, over the year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Manufacturing was among several industries that grew faster than the state average, up 2%, trailing only Education and Health Services, which was up 4.6%. More than 20,200 people work in the manufacturing sector.
The manufacturing sector in Polk County has experienced a 5.9% increase in gross domestic product (GDP) over the past year and a cumulative 27.4% increase over the past decade. GDP is calculated by adding up the value of all final goods and services produced within a specific county, region or country over a specific period of time, providing a measure of the area’s economic activity and its health.
Manufacturing ranks third in job creation, behind only Education and Health Services and Trade, Transportation and Utilities.
Located in the center of one of the fastest-growing states in the country, Polk County provides access to an expansive distribution network using roads, rail, ports and planes.

Add in the intangibles like great weather year-round, a desirable place to raise a family, low taxes and no state income tax, a business-friendly climate and available land and it’s easy to see why companies locate here.

Manufacturing (MFG) Day

National Manufacturing Day is October 3, 2025. It’s the day the Manufacturing Institute has designated to “highlight the innovative nature of modern manufacturing and inspire the next generation of workers, addressing the demand for skilled labor in the U.S.”

“Manufacturing is a significant economic driver in Polk County. It employs nearly 20,000 individuals across more than 400 manufacturing industries, ranging from small to large companies,” said Patricia Collins, Executive Director of the Advanced Technology Center and Corporate College at Polk State College. “At the state level, Florida has experienced substantial growth in this sector. A September 2023 press release by Florida Commerce reported that manufacturing employment had reached 422,800. This positions Florida as the 10th-largest state in the nation for manufacturing employment.”

She added that Florida’s GDP grew nearly 68% from $43.5 billion in 2014 to $73 billion in 2022, moving it ahead of Georgia and New York in manufacturing employment rankings.

Assure Infusions

In the last few years, hundreds of new companies have moved into Polk. This including Assure Infusions, a pharmaceutical manufacturer that built a 60,000-square-foot facility in Bartow to make IV fluid bags. The $20 million plant employs about 100 people.

Alex Lucio, founder of Assure Infusions, said he thinks “Polk County is ideally suited for manufacturing. I think Bartow and the county are extremely conducive to welcoming industry. We hope our locating here acts as a magnet for other life sciences companies. It has been a great decision overall for several reasons:

Lower labor and tax costs.
Lower regulatory burden on construction and manufacturing.
Local government friendly to business.”

He said the company looked at sites across the County and surrounding areas before settling on Bartow. “Every time we identified a parcel, the amount of time and work required to obtain the requisite permitting and industrial zoning introduced a degree of complexity and time. When we queried the city of Bartow, the city was proactive in recruiting us.”

Lucio said Bartow’s mayor, Elle Whithall, the Bartow EDC director and chamber all reached out to him. “(Former) Mayor Steve Githens committed to doing anything he could do if we ran into any permitting issues. The city manager was extremely cooperative as well in helping us understand how to navigate permitting.”

Growth and Talent Abound

Hiring is going well, Lucio said. “We have onboarded nearly 100 new employees in the past nine months. In some cases, we have had to relocate employees. But, for the most part, we have been successful in locating great talent here.”

The company has also reached out to local institutions of higher education to develop internships in life sciences and industrial automation and robotics. “We hope to increase our economic impact in a variety of ways,” – propelling prosperity.

Education

Polk State provides specialized training in advanced manufacturing, engineering technology and career certificates. Collins said, “as well as on-site, needs-based training designed to upskill current employees. To ensure continued success, it is imperative that curriculum remains closely aligned with local business demands so that programs consistently meet industry needs.”

All that prepares students for jobs in the field.

“Manufacturing jobs are considered premium jobs because they typically offer higher wages, contribute to increased productivity and demonstrate economic resilience during downturns,” Collins said. “Institutions of higher education play a vital role in supporting manufacturing growth by preparing a skilled workforce, advancing innovation through research and technology transfer and forming strategic partnerships with industry. This support is crucial as Florida’s manufacturing sector continues its robust expansion.”

Great Location for Manufacturing

Locations like the Central Florida Intermodal Logistics Center (ILC) in Winter Haven are key cogs in the distribution wheel. The large industrial site is where Ball, formely Florida Can, has a manufacturing plant. It’s located near major highways, including Interstate 4, State Road 60 and U.S. 27 and is served by CSX rail. Businesses located there can access 11.1 million people within a 100 mile radius.

Add to locations like that, expansions and new construction from The Ruthvens, warehouse specialists for almost 70 years, and Real Cold, a national cold storage provider that opened its new $66 million, 386,000-square-foot in Auburndale in September 2025, and you can see why manufacturing companies want to move here.

“The future of manufacturing in Polk County appears strong and promising,” Collins said. “While Florida as a whole is projected to see a 2.7% growth rate in manufacturing employment, Polk County is expected to outpace the state with a projected growth rate of 4%. This indicates that Polk is emerging as a competitive hub for manufacturing, driven by its strategic location, diverse industry base and supportive workforce initiatives.”

“Continued investment in workforce training, technological innovation and partnerships between education and industry will be essential to sustaining this momentum. And ensuring Polk remains at the forefront of Florida’s manufacturing growth,” she said.

Why Polk?

Manufacturing is at the forefront in Polk County, and will continue to push the economy forward.

As Polk County continues to attract and grow manufacturing operations, it’s clear the region offers far more than just space for companies to locate — it offers opportunity. From a strategic central location and robust infrastructure to a collaborative business environment and dedicated workforce pipeline, Polk provides the foundation manufacturers need to thrive. With public and private sectors working hand-in-hand to support innovation, training, and expansion, Polk County isn’t just keeping up with Florida’s manufacturing boom — it’s setting the pace. On this Manufacturing Day, we don’t just celebrate the industry — we celebrate Polk County’s role as a leader in shaping its future.