Central Florida Development Council

06/22/2026

How could proposed changes to Florida’s property tax structure impact local communities? In the latest episode of Todd’s Podcast, Polk County Commissioner Bill Braswell shares insights on the proposed property tax amendment and discusses possible impacts on local government funding, public services, and long-term community planning.

Listen here for more insights:

Polk County Commissioner Bill Braswell joins Todd for a timely conversation on the proposed Florida constitutional amendment involving property taxes and homestead exemptions. Bill breaks down how property tax bills are calculated, the role of the...

06/19/2026

🚨🚨🚨Today is the very LAST DAY to vote for Sean to be CareerSource Polk's Man of the Year! Every vote raises funds for the Workforce Incentive Awards, which has a valuable impact on our community.

Vote now to help CareerSource Polk reach their fundraising goal! 🎯
https://www.careersourcepolk.com/vote-for-man-of-the-year/

Have you voted yet??

We're supporting CareerSource Polk in raising money for their Workforce Incentive Awards, which assist with transportation, childcare, housing stability, education, food insecurity and more. Vote for Sean now until June 20th to help raise funds for this amazing organization and name Sean as CareerSource Polk's Man of the Year!

06/18/2026

Polk County is rooted in Agriculture 🚜🌾
With a rich foundation in citrus, cattle, and row crop, Polk is well-positioned to support a future in AgTech. Contact us today for a confidential consultation about growing your AgTech business in Polk.

06/17/2026

Come with us as we tour Orlando Health for our June Investor Meeting! 🍊🏥

During the meeting, attendees had the opportunity to explore the new Orlando Health | Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital and experience firsthand the innovative design, advanced technology, and patient-centered approach that will serve Polk County residents for generations to come.

A special thank you to the Orlando Health team for hosting our group and providing an insightful look inside this transformational healthcare investment. We are excited to see the positive impact this facility will have on our community and region.

06/16/2026

Exciting news for Polk State College as their District Board of Trustees officially names Anastasios “Stasi” Kamoutsas as the institution’s sixth president. He will formally join the College on July 6. Welcome to Polk County, Stasi Kamoutsas!

Anastasios Kamoutsas, Florida’s current Commissioner of Education, was selected to lead Polk State College after a Presidential Search Committee named him its sole recommendation for the position.

06/15/2026

We were honored to serve alongside Polk Vision as a coordinating partner to support Polk Career Academies' Teacher Tours. This event provided an opportunity for PCPS educators to explore the myriad of career pathways our county has to offer, helping them become stronger advocates for student success as they connect classrooms to careers.

Economic development starts in the classroom, and when we can provide our students with access to high-skill, high-wage jobs, our entire community thrives 💫

06/12/2026

Our June Investor Meeting was held at the beautiful Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital, where attendees enjoyed an engaging program and an inside look at one of Polk County’s newest healthcare facilities.

Following a welcome from CFDC Past Chair Dave Shepp, guests heard from Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital leaders Dawn Willis, Community Relations Manager, and Victoria Wagner, Chief Operating Officer. They shared insights into the hospital’s mission, services, and impact on our growing community.

We were also pleased to welcome Voss Construction Management as a new CFDC investor member and highlight a special “Meet the Project” segment.

After the meeting, attendees toured the state-of-the-art facility, experiencing firsthand the thoughtful design, advanced technology, and patient-centered approach that will help Orlando Health | Watson Clinic deliver exceptional care to Polk County residents for years to come.

A special thank-you to the Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital team for graciously hosting our group and providing such an informative and memorable experience.

06/12/2026

Congratulations to the Kim & Greg Ruthven family, who were recently honored with the Lakeland Regional Health 2026 Philanthropist of the Year Award in recognition of their extraordinary generosity, leadership, and lasting impact on the community.

The Kim & Greg Ruthven Family was honored with the 2026 Philanthropists of the Year Award at the Lakeland Regional Health Annual Philanthropy Event

06/11/2026

We are in the final days to cast your vote for Sean as CareerSource Polk's Man of the Year! Each vote raises funds for CareerSource Polk's Workforce Incentive Awards, a valuable event that supports financial stability in our community. Voting closes June 20! 🗳️🗳️🗳️

VOTE HERE: https://www.careersourcepolk.com/vote-for-man-of-the-year/

Have you voted yet??

We're supporting CareerSource Polk in raising money for their Workforce Incentive Awards, which assist with transportation, childcare, housing stability, education, food insecurity and more. Vote for Sean now until June 20th to help raise funds for this amazing organization and name Sean as CareerSource Polk's Man of the Year!

06/11/2026

What does love and support for a community look like? At Suncoast Credit Union, they back their commitment with action. To date, the credit union has reinvested nearly $60 million back into the communities they serve, along with 48,000 volunteer hours just last year. 🤯

Tune into our latest Investor Spotlight Podcast to find out more about how Suncoast walks the walk when it comes to community support.

✴️ Watch here: https://hubs.ly/Q04gbjGn0

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