News

CFDC Welcomes CNC Cabinetry to Polk County

February 11, 2019 News, Success Stories

CNC Cabinetry, a manufacturer and distributor of kitchen cabinets, countertops, bathroom vanities and vanity tops, moves to Central Florida in a big way. The new facility, a 110,000-square-foot manufacturing and warehousing facility in Davenport, is a huge step forward for the nationally known company headquartered in New Jersey. “We are pleased to welcome the new employer […]

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Workforce Training Helps Job Seekers Prepare for Today’s Openings

February 4, 2019 News, Success Stories, Talent Pipeline

Governor DeSantis could bring new support and enthusiasm for workforce training and development, something needed in Polk County and around Central Florida. “I have heard that he is an advocate for a strong economy, which means a strong workforce for vibrant business growth,” said Stacy Campbell-Domineck, president and CEO of CareerSource Polk, a “non-profit corporation […]

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Citizens Bank Works for the People of Polk County

January 28, 2019 News, Success Stories

Strong, positive leadership focused on community as well as growth often propels local businesses to greatness, and such is the case with Citizens Bank & Trust. At the helm since 2001, President and CEO Greg Littleton has won the Banker’s Cup Award for his service to community and leadership. In addition, Citizens has been named […]

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Dundee: A Small Town With Big-City Goals

January 28, 2019 News, Success Stories

Residential growth is the fuel that’s adding to the Town of Dundee’s fire, and the small East Polk County town hopes retail and commercial development will follow. “Permit activity continues to grow and new houses are being built throughout the town,” said Town Manager Deena Ware. “This construction is viewed as a positive economic indicator […]

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Autonomous Technology Will Impact More Than Just Cars

January 23, 2019 News, Success Stories

The new Advanced Mobility Institute at Florida Polytechnic University will be a game-changer in the autonomous vehicle (AV) field, and in doing so is expected to diversify and boost the economy of Polk County and Central Florida. In its infancy, the new Advanced Mobility Institute (AMI) is “a research institute focused on solving the problems […]

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Autonomous Vehicles: The Future of Driving and Central Florida’s Economy

January 16, 2019 News, Success Stories

It’s no secret that the new Advanced Mobility Institute at Florida Polytechnic University plays a role in researching autonomous vehicles, or, as most of us know them, driverless cars. But its focus spans much further, researching and testing experimental unmanned and connected systems technology in agriculture, senior-citizen and planned communities, public transportation and more. And […]

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Growth in Auburndale is Powering Forward

January 14, 2019 News, Success Stories

Industrial growth is booming and residential growth is picking up, all of which means city officials in Auburndale, Florida are busy — and pleased. And they forecast even more development in the next five to 10 years in the city of almost 16,000 people in the north central portion of Polk County. “Expect to see […]

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Lakeland Airport Awarded $4.6 Million Grant to Build New Hangar

January 7, 2019 News, Success Stories

Lakeland Airport Awarded $4.6 Million Grant to Build New Hangar The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) started Lakeland and Polk County officials’ week on a positive note when it announced Monday that it approved a $4,692,176 million grant to build a MRO facility on Lakeland Linder International Airport property. The airport, along with the […]

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Graduation Rate Rises to over 80 Percent for the Polk County School District

December 20, 2018 News, Success Stories, Talent Pipeline

Polk County Public Schools is pleased to announce that the school district’s graduation rate rose to 80.4 percent in 2017-18, an annual increase of 5.0 percentage points, according to the latest data from the Florida Department of Education. “I’m happy that we are graduating more students each year,” said Jacqueline M. Byrd, Superintendent of Polk […]

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Opportunity Zones Open New Door for Investment in Polk

December 17, 2018 News, Success Stories

A new federal program that’s received little attention is unfolding as an “opportunity” for investors to develop within 19 zones in Polk County, Florida. The new community development program — part of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017 — is called Opportunity Zones. The Treasury Department has certified 8,700 such zones — 12 […]

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