The Region
Click on the counties in this map of our region to explore their unique assets and connect with economic developers who can help you do business in the county.
Sumter County
Located at the crossroads of two major highways, Interstate 75 and Florida’s Turnpike, Sumter County offers businesses a pro-business leadership team and one of the lowest tax rates in the state. A hub for agriculture, manufacturing and distribution, it is also a great place to live, evidenced by one of the nation’s top-selling, master-planned communities, The Villages® development.
Estimated population: 125,165 (as of 2018)
Education:
Lake-Sumter State College
Sumter County School District (K-12)
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Seminole County
With a business climate that has fostered quality development, Seminole County is home to a plethora of equally dynamic corporations and headquarters, as well as the emergence of many high tech companies. Ongoing expansion at the Orlando Sanford International Airport, coupled with the state’s largest foreign trade zone designation, has helped it become the third-most active international airport in Florida. Seminole County has prepared for growth with a new expressway, pre-approved development sites, specialized job training and infrastructure incentives. The county’s public-school system is rated among the highest in the state and the median household effective buying income is the highest in the region. Seminole County is part of the Orlando Economic Partnership, a not-for-profit, public/private partnership encompassing seven counties.
Estimated population: 468,588 (as of 2018)
Education:
Seminole State College
Rasmussen College
Seminole County Public Schools (K-12)
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Orange County
From an emerging pre-eminent research university in the east to the world’s most popular tourist attractions in the west, Orange County offers a well-balanced economic base poised for future growth. Much of the area’s activity stems from progress in the city of Orlando, which has been recognized as one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities, a top city for job growth and an “American City of the Future.” Residents enjoy a rich lifestyle with cultural opportunities, amateur and professional sports, and an abundance of recreational activities. Orange County partners with the Orlando Economic Partnership, a not-for-profit, public/private partnership driving economic development in seven counties.
Estimated population: 1,290,216 (as of 2017)
Education:
University of Central Florida
Rollins College
Valencia College
Full Sail University
Orange County Public Schools (K-12)
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Manatee County
Manatee County gives tech startups a home. The groundswell of tech business growth in Florida is nowhere more apparent than in Manatee County, a region ripe for tech startups, as well as established businesses. Home to innovative tech companies that provide services such as software support, computer and software systems design, data processing facilities management and data storage, Manatee County also offers available sites and a lower cost of doing business, when compared to traditional technology hubs like California or the Northeast. Additionally, its coastal climate and year-round recreational opportunities create an appealing combination for attracting talented employees. The county’s collaborative partnerships provide customized and flexible training programs, and access to funding sources for employee skills upgrades. A highly responsive workforce development ecosystem adapts to employers’ needs as evolving technologies place new demands on training your workforce.
Estimated population: 363,542 (as of 2017)
Education:
University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee
State College of Florida
Manatee County School District (K-12)
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DeSoto County
The embodiment of small-town spirit, DeSoto County’s rich agricultural history is evidenced by more than 400 buildings and homes on the National Register of Historic Places. With several thousand business and housing developments on the horizon, the county is poised for growth. DeSoto County is a member of the Florida Heartland Economic Region of Opportunity, a nonprofit organization providing economic development support throughout six counties in South Central Florida.
Estimated population: 36,506 (as of 2017)
Education:
South Florida State College
DeSoto County Schools (K-12)
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Brevard County
With one engineer for every 34 jobs and the largest share of STEM-related jobs, Brevard County – also known as Florida’s Space Coast – has the most concentrated high tech workforce in Florida and 10th most-concentrated in the nation. With the world’s only quintamodal transportation hub, the county offers access to air, sea, space, highway and rail travel. Home to one of the largest foreign trade zones in the country, it boasts a superior infrastructure for international trade, including Port Canaveral, the second-busiest port in the world, a freight railway system and major interstate highways. The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast serves all of Brevard County, which encompasses 1,557 square miles and covers 72 miles of Florida’s Central East Coast.
Estimated population: 568,183 (as of 2017)
Education:
Florida Institute of Technology
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Space Coast/Perimeter
Eastern Florida State College
Keiser University
Webster University
Brevard Public Schools (K-12)
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Osceola County
Recognized among the state and nation’s fastest-growing areas, Osceola County’s business advantages include thousands of acres of land ready for building/development, close proximity to America’s only spaceport-airport-seaport grouping, and easy access to the nation’s largest universities and an institution that was named the best community college in the nation. The area garnered international attention when it became home to BRIDG at NeoCity, a versatile boutique microelectronics fabrication facility located at the heart of a 500-acre technology district. Osceola County is part of the Orlando Economic Partnership, a not-for-profit, public/private partnership encompassing seven counties.
Estimated population: 325,168 (as of 2017)
Education:
Valencia College: Osceola Campus, Poinciana Campus, Advanced Manufacturing Training Center
Osceola County School District (K-12)
NeoCity Academy
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Pinellas County
Anchored by the urban markets of Clearwater and St. Petersburg, Pinellas County has the second-largest base of manufacturing employment in Florida and is home to three Fortune 500 headquarters – Jabil, Tech Data and Raymond James. An extensive network of suppliers, service providers and business associations support operations in varied high tech sectors. Through relationships with major universities and research institutes, Pinellas County has become a center for research and development in marine science, electronic instruments, medical devices, sensors, nanotechnology and health care. It is also home to numerous business accelerators, which are committed to nurturing and building new ventures.
Estimated population: 949,842 (as of 2017)
Education:
University of South Florida St. Petersburg
Stetson University College of Law
Eckerd College
St. Petersburg College
Pinellas County Schools (K-12)
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Pasco County
Located at the apex of the greater Tampa Bay metropolitan area, Pasco County’s tremendous benefits for business include easy access to major interstate highways, rail lines, air transportation and a deep-sea port, as well as a diverse, skilled workforce. Examples of industries thriving in Pasco County include aviation & defense, manufacturing and providers of professional services. Entrepreneurs are not left out; the SMARTstart program focuses on helping companies start and grow with innovative programming and tools needed for success.
Estimated population: 522,802 (as of 2018)
Education:
Saint Leo University
Pasco-Hernando State College
AmSkills – Apprenticeship Program
Pasco County Schools (K-12)
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Citrus County
Citrus County is located on the state’s picturesque Nature Coast, a preserve of untouched Florida landscape with unique inland and coastal treasures. The Suncoast Parkway 2 highway extension has begun and will complete a north/south direct route to Tampa Bay. Citrus also has an express link to the Florida’s Turnpike mainline to Orlando and all points east. Key industries in the region include health care, business services, manufacturing, information technology and energy generation with strong growth potential in a county committed to its natural environment.
Estimated population: 150,920 (as of 2018)
Education:
College of Central Florida
Withlacoochee Technical College
Citrus County Schools (K-12)
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Levy County
Located on the state’s Nature Coast, Levy County provides unparalleled access to Florida wilderness. The site contains miles of preserved coastline, wetlands, forests and springs, as well as established industrial parks that are primed for commercial growth. Business in the county reflects the budding sectors of agritech, life sciences and manufacturing, centered around the production of food, chemicals and minerals. Among these natural elements, paper and other wood products account for approximately $425 million in local economic impact.
Estimated population: 39,713 (as of 2017)
Education:
College of Central Florida – Levy
Levy County School District (K-12)
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Marion County
Marion County is an ideal location for businesses in a diverse range of industries – from defense to health care to agriculture and more. Globally recognized for its equine industry, the county is also a center for manufacturing and distribution thanks to its natural resources and location near the state’s center. Driven by activity in the city of Ocala, economic growth is backed by a strong workforce and intermodal transportation advantages.
Estimated population: 343,778 (as of 2017)
Education:
College of Central Florida
Marion County Public Schools (K-12)
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