Lakeland is at the center of technology. Positioned right in the middle of Florida’s high-tech corridor, our city is home to multiple high-skill companies and technology incubators. Recently we have attracted over 1,100 jobs to our city. Several projects that Lakeland was able to attract include:
· USF Polytechnic Incubation program -The start of what will become a full fledged research park with plans to be anchored by a 60,000 sq. ft. on campus applied learning laboratory.
· Smart Grid: Lakeland Electric recently received a $20 million Smart Grid Investment Grant by the U.S. Department of Energy to install meters throughout the community that will allow residents to remotely control their utility usage. This technology will establish a two-way communication link between utility customers and the utility to facilitate the flow of information and improved control of their utility usage.
· USF Poly Division of Technology and Innovation – “This hire is what we call a game-changer; Dr. Emond is a world-class researcher and a perfect example of applied technology. He embodies ‘polytech,’ and he adds an immediate and exciting dynamic to our region’s economic development initiatives.” – USFP CEO, Marshall Goodman
· WellDyne – a national pharmacy benefits management company that serves health plan members through a retail network of 58,000 nationwide pharmacies. WellDyne expanded into Lakeland from Colorado in 2009 with plans to employ approximately 700 in their new 66,000 sq. ft. state of the art fulfillment center. More Info.
· Firmenich – the largest privately-owned company in the perfume and flavor business and is a Swiss family owned company. More Info.
· Lockheed Martin – Operates a shared services facility with more than 400 employees based in Lakeland.
· GTech Printing is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Providence, R.I.-based GTech Corp., a lottery technology and services firm that makes software and ticket machines, among other products.