The Central Florida Development Council is harnessing the power of innovation from Polk County and the cities of Auburndale and Lakeland.
All three government entities recently approved the Central Florida Innovation District memorandum of understanding, which will serve as the first step for the Central Florida Development Council to eventually transform the district near Florida Polytechnic University into an innovation district.
"The more we can collaborate throughout the county, the better chance we have to not be absorbed through Orlando or Tampa," Lakeland commissioner Sara McCarley said. "So for all of us in Polk County — all 17 municipalities — for three of the entities to work together, is something we all need to be striving for. So I commend all our partners to really work toward a vision that is thoughtful, intentional and breeds more innovation in our area."
Sean Malott, president and CEO of the Central Florida Development Council, said the council sees huge opportunity for growth in an area that has dipped its toe into the innovation pool. Florida Polytechnic University is a STEM-based school with its eye on research, working alongside Florida Suntrax, the autonomous vehicle track backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Malott believes the innovation district could transform the area into a high-wage, high-growth job hub.
"For a period of time, there's been a plan for the area around Florida Polytechnic and it's extending that vision across the parkway, down to Suntrax and Suntrax is creating a broader vision," Malott said. "It's focusing on a high-value industry, on a specific target area that's connected to what Florida Polytechnic sees in their future and Suntrax's future."
Now that all three entities have unanimously approved the MOU, officials from the Central Florida Development Council are speaking with property owners in the area. Government entities from the two cities and county will serve as technical advisers on any land updates from possible land use or zoning changes.
"This document itself doesn't effect any changes," said Teresa Maio, Lakeland's Community and Economic Development senior planner. "It just allows for discussions to continue, for the vision to be finalized and any subsequent policy changes to be made and brought to the local governments for consideration."
There's also a vision plan for the innovation district that will eventually be turned into a marketing document to share with developers and others "to help it come to life," according to Malott.
While the vision is an eventual mixed-use district — including residential, business and research space — that plan is just a concept at this stage.
"It's a blank slate, really," Malott said. "It's definitely an opportunity and we want to do everything possible to shape it in the right way."
