Haines City Economic Development Council Receive $10,000 Duke Energy Foundation Grant

Haines City Economic Development Council Receive $10,000 Duke Energy Foundation Grant
Tuesday, November 5, 2024 by Haines City EDC Staff

The Haines City Economic Development Council (Haines City EDC), in partnership with CareerSource Polk, has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation's Powerful Communities Grant. This funding will support ongoing marketing and development efforts, focusing on attracting new businesses and expanding existing ones.

“The Haines City Economic Development Council is very grateful for this grant from Duke Energy, as we continue our efforts in the recruitment of industrial development, generating jobs for our citizens, and providing an ad valorem tax base to the city of Haines City. The Haines City Economic Development Council, along with our partnership with CareerSource Polk, promises to be responsible stewards of these grant monies.”

— Cyndi Jantomaso, President of Haines City EDC

Last year’s grant allowed Haines City EDC to implement high-impact, low-cost SEO strategies, resulting in the launch of a new industrial property program and webpage, Available Commercial Property in Haines City. This led to a 112% increase in views of this page (based on Google Analytics data). This significantly boosted interest in industrial properties like the Lorenz Site, which is part of Duke Energy’s Site Readiness Program. Over the past two years, Haines City EDC has also leveraged part of the grant money to increase traffic on the Haines City EDC website by over 10 times (based on Google Analytics data). Additionally, we utilized online ads, news posts, and social media to fulfill the goal of enhancing marketing and development opportunities within Haines City by assisting new and existing businesses with relocations and/or expansions, while growing the community's financial base through thoughtful and strategic development initiatives.

Lorenz Site: A Key Industrial Property

The Lorenz Site, comprising 105.9 acres of affordable industrial land, showcases Haines City's growth potential. As part of Duke Energy's Site Readiness Program, the property is equipped with essential infrastructure:

12.47 kV distribution line provided by Duke Energy.
18-inch water line with 1.35 MGD excess capacity.
6-inch natural gas line, approximately 3,960 feet away.
Fiber and telecommunications services available.

These features make the Lorenz Site an attractive option for industrial businesses seeking to relocate or expand in Central Florida.

Rapid Population Growth Supports Economic Development

Haines City experienced a 10.8% population growth in 2023 (US census data), making it one of the fastest-growing cities in the Southern United States. This growth highlights the need for continued industrial development to support the city’s infrastructure and workforce. Through Haines City EDC's efforts, the industrial park in Haines City generates nearly $1.2 million annually in tax revenue, increases employment, and fosters community growth, allowing Haines City to thrive.

Strategic Plan for Economic Growth

The Haines City EDC's strategic plan focuses on fostering industrial growth, leveraging underutilized land, and supporting workforce development. The collaboration with the Duke Energy Foundation and other partners, such as CareerSource Polk, continues to advance Haines City's economic success by creating opportunities for both new and existing businesses. This year's grant will help extend these efforts.

“Companies often consider establishing, expanding or relocating their operations to Florida because of the state’s economic strength,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “It’s a privilege to support innovative strategies that will build on that success and help ensure our economy continues to grow and thrive for generations to come.”