The Central Florida Development Council (CFDC) is a public and private partnership between the Polk County Board of County Commissioners and all of the municipalities and major chambers of commerce in Polk County, Florida. The CFDC is responsible for economic development activity in a thriving community centered in a super-region stretching from Tampa to Orlando.

The CFDC’s mission is to lead the collaborative economic development efforts of the Polk Technology Region by promoting and growing an economy based on high-skill, high-wage sustainable and evolutionary businesses. Polk County is at the heart of the Florida High Tech Corridor, and new polytechnic and technology centers are being built in the community to meet the needs of entrepreneurs and established, expanding companies.

The Central Florida Development Council contracted with SRI International to develop an industry cluster assessment and marketing plan. The Industry Cluster and Selection Study hits the mark squarely when it notes Polk County, Florida is at a pivotal point in its development. The cluster study at its heart provides the community centered in a super region stretching from Tampa to Orlando a road map for achieving community and economic development goals that will build regional economic synergies while further defining its current and future identity.

The SRI International identified industry clusters which will drive Polk County’s economy include: Life Sciences & Medical Services, Business & Financial Services, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Research, Engineering and High Tech and Agritechnology and Agribusiness. SRI International analyzed key trends in surrounding counties, including Hillsborough (Tampa), Orange (Orlando), Highlands and Hardee, to expose extended product chains, shared labor pools, trade flows, business networks and opportunities for cross-breeding technologies and collaboration.