A Market for Groves Polk County, Florida, is being absorbed in the path of progress.
citrus industry began in 1989 when a catastrophic hard freeze wiped out 70% of the county’s crop. And it got worse. In 1995, “greening,” was discovered. Greening is a bacterial infection catastrophic to citrus trees. The infection keeps fruit from reaching maturity, leaving it small, bitter, and inedible. The tree eventually dies. With the citrus industry in decline, Polk County began welcoming other industries during the 2000s. A concerted effort was made to target retirees as well as biotech, high-tech, and tourism. The county’s central location is also ideal for warehousing and distribution centers. Many business startups and relocations have occurred in Polk in recent years because leaders recognize the potential for those working in Orlando and Tampa to live in Polk and enjoy the quality of life it offers. Haines City, in the Northeast corner of Polk, is situated between Tampa (61 miles west) and Orlando (38 miles east). This location theoretically allows a person to maintain a home in Haines City and commute to either metro. This was a satisfactory arrangement for many employees wanting a small town feel and lower price tag. But within the last 20 years, the congestion caused by the influx of new residents and tourists has made the commute on I-4, the east-west corridor from Orlando to Tampa, downright dreadful. Adding to the I-4 snarl is the push by Polk County to encourage new industries to open a flood of high- tech, transportation/distribution, and logistics jobs. Centralized Polk is in a good location with multiplying local freight rail lines running north and south, deep-water seaports on
by Susan Reilly
P olk County, Florida, natives have memories of driving two-lane roads through deep green trees neatly lined in rows rolling up and down shallow hills. They remember the sweet, thick scent of white blossoms sprinkled across trees laden with bright orange fruit. It’s only a childhood memory now. Polk County is being absorbed in the path of progress. In a way, it’s a long time coming. In a way, it’s not. Polk County is a unique place. In 2023, it is feeling a development boom, proving bittersweet to the citrus families who’ve called it home for generations. EXPONENTIAL GROWTH Florida has always been a popular relocation destination for retirees. But during the pandemic, Florida residency accelerated exponentially. Year-round warm weather, a plethora of entertainment options, no state income tax, and a relatively inexpensive cost of living bring
more than 900 new residents to the Sunshine State each day. Metros like Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville have all enjoyed the influx of new residents. Home prices have followed suit, shooting up sharply during the shutdown. But another county, Polk, has quietly waited its turn for progress. A large county in the heart of Florida with over 2,000 square miles, Polk is the fourth largest county in the state. Progress has arrived. At the end of 2022, Forbes magazine named Polk County the fastest-growing county in Florida and seventh fastest in the nation. Polk County’s population is now growing by 56 people per day, and that growth is projected to continue for another 10 years. CITRUS MISFORTUNES LEAD TO NEW INDUSTRY OUTREACH Polk County has land, lots of agricultural land, much of which has been citrus. Sadly, the demise of the
30 :: INVESTOR REVIEW :: MAR-APR 2023
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