Kim Hansell
    Strategic Initiatives Director
   khansell@mywinterhaven.com

"Economic development is the effort of a community to improve its local economy by facilitating the creation of well-paying employment opportunities from new and existing wealth creating businesses, thereby improving the community's financial base, quality of life and workforce."

[Source: Economic Development Handbook, Florida Department of Community Affairs]

Our mission is to improve and expand the economic base of the community through:

• Expansion of the City boundaries through property annexation;
• Retention and expansion of existing business and industry;
• Recruitment of new business and industry and
• Implementation of strategies and programs that enhance the community's overall high quality of life and local, regional and national image.

resulting in a stable and diversified economy.

• Expansion of City boundaries through property annexation;

• Work with existing businesses and industries to assist them in their efforts to identify suppliers and related businesses to encourage them to relocate to the area;

• Encourage local real estate developers to construct speculative office/professional space as a lure to attract desirable prospects;

• Target and focus on certain business sectors that have the highest potential for locating in Winter Haven;

• Develop a marketing initiatives aimed at potential entrepreneurs, who are attracted to Winter Haven's quality of life;

• Support efforts by local and regional educational institutions to upgrade educational programs;

• Increase public relations efforts to create a favorable business climate image within and outside of Polk County and Florida;

• Partner with regional, economic development organizations to promote Winter Haven;

• Enhance the quality of life though the support of art, historical, cultural and athletic entities that will increase activities, improve facilities and attract business relocation and

• Attract a greater number of visitors to the area by expanding recreational, entertainment, environmental and cultural activities that are clean, family friendly, diverse and unique.

Natural Gas:

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