Central Florida Development Council

10/15/2026

: We are still reminiscing on our 2026 Annual Meeting 🤩 It was an unforgettable night full of connection and celebration, spotlighting economic growth in Polk County and honoring industry leaders who have made an impact on the community.

Thank you to all our attendees and sponsors who made this night one for the books. 🌌

Don't forget to check out our full album of photos: https://hubs.ly/Q04z4Hp50

10/14/2026

Voting early? CitrusConnection is offering free rides for registered Polk County voters 🍊 See post for more details.

Free rides begin this Monday! From October 19 through 31, registered Polk County voters can ride Citrus Connection FREE to cast their ballot. 🍊🚌

Choose your Early Voting site, review its dates and hours, and plan both your outbound and return trips before leaving.

Start planning your free ride: https://www.ccbusinfo.com/InfoPoint/

10/14/2026

October is Manufacturing Month, and today we’re celebrating the manufacturers driving innovation, creating jobs and strengthening our economy. 🏭

With its central location and access to an unrivaled distribution network, Polk County gives manufacturing companies a competitive edge and a blueprint for success.

Learn more about Advanced and Tech-Enabled Manufacturing in Polk County: https://hubs.ly/Q04zTh570

10/13/2026

Today, we are celebrating the leadership of our Outgoing Board Chair, Emery Smith. Smith, Executive Vice President for Ben Hill Griffin, Inc., has spent the last year guiding the CFDC Board of Directors with an unwavering calm and focus on collaboration.

Emery, thank you for your steadfast leadership and grounded approach to economic growth in Polk County. We are immensely grateful for your vision, integrity, and dedication!

🍊 Read more about Emery here: https://hubs.ly/Q04z_Q2H0

10/06/2026

Join us in celebrating John Laurent, who has been named Polk County area president for Crews Bank & Trust! 🎉🏦

Laurent has been instrumental in establishing the bank's presence in Polk, which includes teams in Winter Haven and Lakeland.

https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2026/10/02/crews-bank-taps-polk-exec.html?csrc=6398&link_source=ta_first_comment&taid=6ac01b67b843a10001197be3&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwZnRzaAUuBx1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mBWZkaWQWUPm947BSpjpEdscJz2Z_n0qsCz5XInNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR7mKjimZotSkImYHF_gw4S-dRdm8Vgf2r1wjbFKjQqnE7qSjltF6NZNGvlXGw_aem_bjvk8gflb1nVCboOQaL3dA

The veteran banker will lead operations in Winter Haven and Lakeland.

10/06/2026

Honoring Outgoing Board Members | Rick Garcia

Rick Garcia, former CFDC Aviation Chair, is President and CEO of Gulf Coast Avionics, a leading supplier of avionics, pilot supplies and aircraft services. Rick is known for his passion, dedication, and community involvement. His decades of work have been described as a catalyst for the aviation industry in Polk County.

Rick's knowledge of the aviation, aerospace and defense industry cannot be overstated, and his contributions to the CFDC and Polk County have been immeasurable over the past six years. While his time on the Board has concluded, we know that his impact on the industry will be felt for generations, and look forward to seeing the work he continues to do in the field.

Thank you, Rick!

📚 Read more about Rick's time with the CFDC: https://hubs.ly/Q04y-gLP0
🎥 Hear colleagues share their reflections on Rick's contributions to the CFDC: https://hubs.ly/Q04y-gMq0

10/05/2026

Honoring Outgoing Board Members | Dave Shepp

Dave Shepp is a partner at The Southern Group. He joined the CFDC Board of Directors in 2019. He then went on to serve as Chair of the Competitiveness & Advocacy Committee and in leadership roles on the Executive Committee before being named Chair of the Board in October 2024.

Known as a multifaceted leader who is unafraid to navigate tough challenges, Dave's deep understanding of Polk County was an invaluable asset to the team. Dave has made a lasting impact on the organization.

Thank you, Dave!

📚 Read more about Dave's time with the CFDC: https://hubs.ly/Q04y-2pF0
🎥 Hear colleagues share their reflections on Dave's contributions: https://hubs.ly/Q04y-1wW0

10/02/2026

Reflecting on the 2026 Annual Meeting, an evening celebrating the people, partnerships, and businesses that move our community forward! ✨

Congratulations to Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE) and GMF Steel Group, our 2026 Success in Business Award recipients, and to County Manager Bill Beasley, recipient of this year’s prestigious Chair’s Award. We were also honored to hear from keynote speaker Mark D. Wiese, who shared powerful insights on the impact of collaboration and the strong partnerships that drive success.

📚 Read the full recap on our blog: https://hubs.ly/Q04z4GNq0
📸 See all the event photos: https://hubs.ly/Q04z4H0z0

10/02/2026

10/01/2026

Proud to sponsor the Central Florida Business Expo! It was a great opportunity to connect with businesses, community partners and higher education leaders working together to strengthen our region’s economy and workforce.