Growth & Development
Opportunities At the Hub
Haines City and the entire northeast Polk County are experiencing explosive growth, estimated to continue at a rate of 10 percent or above for the next several years. Like the hub of a huge wheel, the northeast Polk County region is circled with opportunities.
Proximity to both Interstate 4 and Highway 27 provides residents and businesses with convenient connections to Orlando, Tampa, Miami and beyond. Highway 27, the community’s main artery, is now widened to six lanes and attracting a variety of new developments. Grocery stores, car dealers, home improvement stores, banks, medical offices, and a multitude of retail and service businesses are locating along the corridor to serve the increased residents and visitors.
Polk County plans several road improvements in response to this intense growth rate. Their proposed road improvement project list includes: two new roads paralleling Highway 27 to relieve local traffic, a new east-west connector road between Highway 27 and State Road 17-92, and the four-lane upgrade of Ronald Regan Parkway, S. R. 547 and S. R.17-92. These and other proposed improvements will provide alternate routes for local traffic and open up additional property for development.
On a regional scale, Florida Department of Transportation is studying an east-west and a north-south corridor to place new toll roads. Both routes will bisect Polk County and provide alternative routes to the state’s major interstate highways.
Two major retail developments will bring shopping even closer to home. In the planning and permitting stage are almost 2 million square feet of retail/entertainment/mixed use complexes: Posner Center at the intersection of Interstate 4 and Highway 27 and Four Corners Regional Mall at Ronald Regan Parkway and Highway 27.
Southwest of the I-4 and Hwy 27 junction, Polk County has just completed building Polk Outpost 27, A Florida Adventure Center. The Center entertains and informs visitors about Polk County’s attractions. This resource will raise the visitor’s awareness of the county’s attractions and resources; bringing new customers to their doors.
Companies that manufacture and distribute lumber, trusses, pavers, aerated concrete blocks and other housing components are locating in and around the South Industrial Park to take advantage of a recently-completed rail spur that connects to the main CSX line. Also on the railroad spur, a paper manufacturer/distributor invested $30 million to install a new paper manufacturing machine and build 88,000 square feet of manufacturing space. Developers are building office parks and warehouse space for lease to businesses not yet ready to build their own facilities.
Revitalization of the historic downtown continues with streetscaping projects, building renovations and utility upgrades. Haines City’s Main Street program assists shop owners, developers and City staff to preserve the community’s heritage, with the vision that our historic downtown once again becomes a working and profitable economic center.
Although buildings now stand where many citrus trees used to bloom, agriculture still plays a major role in Central Florida’s economy. In addition to the fresh fruit and juice markets, value added products show the resilience of the industry. Fruit candies and jellies, distilled liquor, flavors and essences, household cleaners, and many unique products are exported worldwide from local manufacturing plants.
Haines City and Polk County have created Selected Area Plans (SAP) that guide future development in the northeast region. Quality planning and a vision for the future will ensure our community keeps its Florida charm as it continues to experience this significant growth.
The Haines City-Northeast Polk County Regional Chamber of Commerce works closely with the Haines City Economic Development Council, the City Commission and staff, the East Polk Committee of 100 and the Central Florida Development Council to recruit and retain quality businesses to our community. Together we provide companies with information on available buildings, sites, workforce, grants, loans, training programs, current statistics; virtually everything required to make an informed siting decision and grow a successful business.
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