Success in Small Business Finalists Feature 2 in Construction, Workforce Administrator, & a New Polk Business
The winner is announced at the CFDC Annual Meeting on September 25. Camp Margaritaville RV Resort in Auburndale is hosting the event.
Two businesses are construction companies and multi-year finalists. One is a newcomer to the awards and the fourth has just recently entered the Polk County market. Together, they are the four small businesses that represent the best of the best. They are finalists for the Central Florida Development Council’s Jim Brantley Economic Development Award – Success in Small Business.
The Success in Small Business Award is named for the late Jim Brantley, the first director of the agency now known as the CFDC. A business, institution or organization with fewer than 100 employees qualifies. It honors a business that champions growth, free enterprise, economic stability and community service.
The finalists, in alphabetical order, are:
“These companies know how to serve their communities and the people who work for them,” said Sean Malott, President & CEO of the CFDC. “They are personally involved in their companies, setting high standards and delivering at every level. Polk County is lucky to have them here. We are honored to be able to recognize their contributions.”
About the Small Business Award Finalists
A.O. Wagner Construction
This is the second year in a row A.O. Wagner Construction Co. — the company formed when A.O. Construction and Wagner Construction merged and rebranded in January 2025 – has been a finalist. The company, which offers preconstruction services, construction management, general contracting and more, maintains its mission to provide high-quality construction services on time and within budget while maintaining long-lasting relationships.
“Being nominated for this award is a truly significant honor for us. It serves as validation of our hard work, dedication and commitment — not only to our customers and employees, but also to our wider community,” said President Gannon Olmert. “The nomination reflects the genuine effort and passion every member of our team invests in building strong relationships and delivering impactful projects every day.
“For us, this recognition is more than a badge of honor; it is a celebration of the bonds we have formed and the positive change we are creating within our industry,” he said. “To be nominated again this year reaffirms our ongoing pursuit of excellence and innovation.”
This year has been “a year of exciting momentum for our company, continuing the sustained growth we have seen over the past several years — 35% on average over the last six years,” Olmert said.
Since the rebranding, “New team members have joined us, enhancing the company’s capabilities and culture. Strategic partnerships formed. This facilitated entry into new markets and increasing industry presence. These initiatives are expected to generate further opportunities and influence within the community and industry.”
Assure Infusions
Assure Infusions is a manufacturing company that produces sterile IV fluids. It opened its $20 million plant in Bartow in May 2024 and is exploring growth opportunities.
“We are thankful for the honor and the recognition,” said President Steve Bower. “The past three years we have spent building a state-of-the-art, fully automated IV fluid facility here in Polk County, bringing a life sciences addition to the county. We have grown our workforce to meet increasing need. This nomination is a tremendous achievement for a company in its first year of commercial operation, so the recognition is both encouraging and exciting.”
Bower said highlights from 2025 include:
- Becoming fully registered and approved by the Food & Drug Administration and the Florida Board of Pharmacy.
- Becoming fully licensed in Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Tennessee and Missouri, as well as Florida.
- “Within the next 90 days, we expect to be fully licensed in an additional 20 states. The goal is to be fully licensed in most of the 48 contiguous states before the end of the year.”
New and Exciting Initiative
The company is also starting a new marketing campaign targeting Florida hospitals called “Florida First”. “Florida is our home. While the U.S. weathers frequent and recurring IV fluid shortages, Assure Infusions has the ability to provide a safety net to the Florida hospitals under contract. This ensures they have a guaranteed commitment that even if the entire nation is trying to cope with IV fluid shortages, we will surge manufacturing to ensure that our Florida hospital partners can function without fluid mitigation measures being taken.”
CareerSource Polk
Stacy Campbell-Domineck is president and CEO of the private, nonprofit administrator of workforce funds. She said CareerSource Polk is “incredibly honored” to be nominated in the small business category. “This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our team, the strength of our community partnerships and the continued impact of our work. Being a finalist reaffirms that our mission and values resonate with others. It inspires us to keep pushing forward with purpose and passion.”
This year was “marked by growth, innovation and meaningful milestones that reflect our deep commitment to Polk County’s workforce and economic development,” she said. The top highlights are:
- Business Engagement. The agency supported nearly 1,000 Polk County employers, who posted over 7,500 job openings through their platform. Its Business Services team provided 6,973 local businesses with the tools and support they need to thrive.
- Youth Workforce Development. It placed 299 youth (ages 16–24) into internships throughout the year, supported by nearly 200 companies. “These opportunities provided hands-on experience and helped build a strong talent pipeline for the future.”
- Economic Impact. It invested $8.1 million into the Polk County community, generating a net economic impact of nearly $40.5 million. “This means that for every dollar invested in workforce development, the region saw a return of $4.99 — driven by increased wages, reduced unemployment and enhanced business productivity.”
A New Space
In June 2025, CareerSource Polk closed its Winter Haven Career Center after Florida Commerce announced plans to sell the building. This opened the door to a new opportunity to serve all of Polk County, Campbell-Domineck said.
“Thanks to the generous support of the Bartow Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), CareerSource Polk has been requested to consider locating a career center in the new CRA Innovation Center to deliver vital workforce services,” she said. “This is a strategic collaboration that enables us to operate a career center within a shared space. We are bringing services directly into the heart of the community. In partnership with the Bartow CRA and the city of Bartow, CareerSource Polk is proud to announce plans to begin serving job seekers, employers and community partners from this modern, accessible location.”
The initiative “represents a meaningful investment in the economic development of South Polk County,” she said. “A CareerSource Polk career center, in Bartow, is more than a new location — it’s a symbol of resilience, adaptability and forward-thinking leadership.”
Marcobay Construction
A finalist for the second year in a row, Marcobay continues its strong tradition of service in Polk County.
“With more than five decades of deep roots in Central Florida, Marcobay has built a legacy defined by quality craftsmanship, client trust and community partnership. As one of the few long-standing, continuously operating contractors in our region, we’ve been honored to help shape the area’s growth through every economic cycle,” said President Jimmy Vessels.
“Being named a finalist again affirms that the values we were founded on continue to guide us today. We’re grateful to stand alongside this year’s impressive group of finalists who are each contributing to the strength and vitality of our region.”
Reflecting on the Year
This year has been full of highlights, he said, including:
- “Completing the Salvation Army Worship and Community Center at the George W. Jenkins Community of Hope. This is a project we were proud to break ground on last year, which now serves as a hub for worship, outreach and community programming in northwest Lakeland.
- Securing two major contracts at Lakeland Central Park (LCP):
- A build-to-suit project for Ashley Furniture at LCP200. Having completed the 705,420-square-foot shell in 2023, we will now transform the space to meet Ashley Furniture’s operational needs, while supporting the area’s continued role as a logistics and distribution hub.
- Building 300, the second building at LCP. This 260,000-square-foot shell will feature an open office layout, restrooms, a conference room and a breakroom. It’s all positioned for prime visibility and accessibility along the Polk Parkway.
- Continuing to strengthen our community involvement through local partnerships and sponsorships that directly benefit schools and nonprofit organizations.
The company is gearing up for a strong finish to the year, Vessels said. This includes “sealing the deal on additional selective contracts, kicking off new projects and rolling out refreshed marketing materials that showcase our full range of capabilities to a growing audience.”
In leui of celebration of the inspiring finalists for the Success in Small Business Economic Development Award, they remind us that thriving communities are built on the passion, perseverance, and local entrepreneurial innovation. These finalists exemplify the spirit of small business excellence and the vital role they play in driving economic growth. We applaud their achievements and look forward to seeing the continued impact of their work in the months and years to come.
