Features: Florida has the 4th largest population in the U.S and is one of the fastest growing states. It ranks in the top five in construction contracts, residential building permits, new plants & expansion, retail sales, and total personal income. In the middle of the state and equal distance between Tampa and Orlando, Polk County is in the center of this rapidly growing region. Benefits: Florida is an outstanding market where consumers enjoy high buying power. Within this rapidly growing region, there is an obvious growth in demand for consumer goods. There is also a large market for companies producing commercial equipment and supplies. Features: Florida has more manufacturing establishments than any other state in the Southeast and has earned top marks as a location for manufacturing, entrepreneurship, small business, and corporate headquarters. Historically, Polk County's three main industries have always been citrus, phosphate and tourism. Although, these industries are still vital to the county's economy, Polk has diversified its industrial sector and economic base. Fast becoming the state's energy center, the County has six new cogeneration facilities and two major power stations either completed or under construction. The Central Florida Development Council located in Bartow provides necessary assistance and information for business and industry throughout the County. Benefits: In the middle of the state and equal distance between Tampa and Orlando, seven million people reside within a 100-mile radius of Polk County. With its low wages, abundant labor, low cost of living, and large population within close proximity, Polk County has become an attractive place for many industries to relocate. Because of its strong industrial base, Polk County provides an excellent market for firms producing machinery, materials, component parts, and supplies for industrial customers.

Features: Strategic location central to the rapidly growing markets of Latin America and the Caribbean; the nearest of Florida's six foreign trade zones (FTZs) is in Tampa, only 40 miles away; international financial services are readily available; excellent transportation facilities for overseas shipments nearby; direct, nonstop flights to Europe and Latin America from Tampa International Airport, just 48 miles away. Benefits: Economic and expeditious delivery of products to foreign destinations; an FTZ facilitates manufacturing, warehousing, and merchandising; trade financing can be accomplished quickly; firms can ship products directly; company executives can conduct business overseas with a minimum of time devoted to travel. Features: Three industrial parks with sites immediately available; low cost land and lower construction costs; excellent climate allows for year-round building and lower maintenance costs. Benefits: Industrial parks protect a firm's investment; the company gets more for its money, as building a facility is less expensive; construction can begin immediately and be completed sooner; reduced heating costs, no cost for snow removal, less frequent painting, less insulation needed. Features: Large labor force; growing population; excellent climate, low cost of living, and low personal taxes mean people are willing to relocate to Bartow; high level of education with a diversity of occupational training available; Florida has a Constitutional "right-to-work" law - "closed shop" and "union shop" operations are prohibited; Florida has one of the lowest levels of union/employee association membership in the nation; work stoppages are minimal; the labor force retains the work ethic. Benefits: Easy recruitment of skilled/unskilled work force; ensured labor availability in the future; recruitment of high-level executive and professionals is easy and less expensive; reduced production costs; employees have necessary skills or are easily trained; Florida has one of the strongest right-to-work policies in the country, and it prevents compulsory union membership; good labor relations meaning less production time lost and more profit; high productivity and excellent quality of work. Features: Lower cost of living; excellent climate and a wide variety of recreational opportunities which can be enjoyed all year long; cultural activities available. Benefits: A person's income will go further; recruitment of personnel and relocating for company executives is easier; in Bartow there's something to interest everyone.

Features: Polk County is centrally located within the state of Florida and Bartow is the central point of the county. Several major highways intersect in Bartow. For more information regarding transportation, click the Transportation and Communication icon to the left. Benefits: Quick, direct access to markets throughout the state and nation; immediate access to commercial and corporate air service, including a well developed air cargo system; the port system reduces transportation costs for overseas shipments. Features: Industrial Development Bonds are available for financing land, buildings, and equipment; optional bond validation process for IDB's to ensure their tax-free status; established bonding authorities have experience in putting together IDB packages. Benefits: Qualified firms can finance new facilities at a lower interest rate; bond issues are more credible and tax-free status cannot be reversed in the future; financing for the new plant can be put together quickly and correctly, saving the company time and money. Features: A positive attitude toward economic development. Benefits: Ensures government cooperation and assistance for firms locating to Bartow; neither businesses nor residents bear a large tax burden to pay for extravagant programs, and with Florida's conservative approach to government financing and operations, taxes will remain low; a Florida company retains a competitive edge in that less of its product costs are for taxes.

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