Targeted Industries
See where your company fits in
We strategically focus on industries that align with Lakeland’s strengths, workforce, and long-term growth potential.
Supply chain & logistics
Lakeland is home to over 28 million square feet of industrial/warehouse space with over 12,500 employed in the supply chain & logistics business. View our major logistics employers.
Medical Device Packaging and Sterilization
Tampa Bay ranks in the top 20 nationwide for medical device manufacturing. Lakeland has seen significant growth in recent years in medical device, packaging and sterilization services. View our major medical employers.
Financial Services
Lakeland has a strong presence of name-brand financial service companies. Lockheed Martin employs over 300+ employees in our market and their Lakeland office handles all of their back-end accounting operations. View our major financial services employers.
Flavors and Essence
Lakeland is known for our history in citrus, which has attracted six international flavors & and essence companies. This industry is only found in two areas of the United States: Lakeland, FL and New Jersey. Many of these companies use citrus by-products for food flavoring, alcohol, perfumes, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, rubber and textiles. View our major manufacturing employers.
Software and IT
The Lakeland area is home to several software and computer services companies, as well as large creative and information systems centers for Publix IT Technology Campus and Saddle Creek Logistics Services. This sector employs more than 4,000 . View our major technical employers.
Aviation
Lakeland Linder International Airport is home to the world famous NOAA Hurricane Hunters and Draken International. The airport’s economic impact to the region is over $574 Million (2019 FDOT Economic Impact Study). Central Florida Aerospace Academy, Polk State College and SEU Aerospace programs are located onsite. LAL hosts Sun ‘n Fun, the world’s second largest fly-in. View our major aviation employers.
Life Sciences, Biotech, Pharmaceuticals
There are over 200 medical, health care and biotechnology companies with more than 20,000 employees located in Lakeland/Polk County. View our major institutional employers.
Corporate Headquarters
Publix Super Markets, Inc., a Fortune 100 company has its corporate headquarters in Lakeland. Publix, is the largest employee-owned grocery chain in the United States with over 177,000 associates, 1105 stores, 10 manufacturing facilities and 8 distribution centers in the Southeast and is Florida’s largest private employer. View our major office employers.
Value Added Manufacturing
Brookings Institute recently ranked the Lakeland MSA as #8 in the nation for manufacturing jobs. Manufacturers employ over 14,000 in Lakeland. View our top manufacturing companies.
