Site Selection

Location, location, location. Bartow is just seven miles south of the Polk Parkway, with its direct connection to Interstate 4. State Road 60, Florida’s Coast to Coast Highway, travels directly through Bartow connecting Florida’s Gulf and Atlantic coasts. The transportation system provides a conduit to all markets in the state and beyond. The availability of land continues to drive residential, commercial and industrial development. In addition, Polk County has more rail than any other location in Florida.

Bartow is located within one of the highest growth metro markets in the southeast United States and one of the most attractive areas in which to operate a business. With an available labor force backed by numerous training programs, the area provides the precision, technical and service skills a company may require.

With an available labor force backed by numerous training programs, the area provides the precision, technical and service skills a company may require. Florida Trend magazine has recognized Bartow’s county, Imperial Polk County, as having one of the best business climates in the state.

Clear Springs sits on 18,000 acres located in Bartow, midway between Tampa and Orlando. Clear Springs is executing a land development vision focused on economic development and seeking joint venture partnerships for development, water and utility solutions and other infrastructure and amenities. Long-term master planning has been completed through the Optional Sector Plan approach. The goal is to demonstrate how agriculture, education, industrial and residential land uses can all work well together in a large, well-planned development.

Florida Scorecard

The Florida Scorecard™ provides Florida leaders and local stakeholders with the metrics needed to measure progress within their own communities as we work toward meeting the goals outlined in the the Florida 2030 Blueprint. … Florida’s Industry Diversification ranking. Access the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s Florida Scorecard™ here:

The Florida Chamber Foundation: Non-Partisan Research Identifying Needs for the Future

The Florida Chamber Foundation is the business-led, solutions development and research organization, working in partnership with state business leaders to secure Florida’s future. The Foundation’s Six Pillars™ serve as a visioning platform for developing the first-ever long-term strategic plan for the state. The Foundation takes pride in producing and partnering on a number of important studies that have provided an intellectual framework for state policy.



Central Florida Development Council

The Central Florida Development Council is the primary economic development agency for Polk County. Established in1985, its mission is to grow Polk County based on high-skill, high-wage sustainable businesses. The CFDC offers business services to local companies and prospective companies looking to expand or relocate their operations. The CFDC focuses on domestic and international business attraction and expansion, business advocacy and trade development.
Click here for more information about the Central Florida Development Council.


Realtors

The Bartow Board of REALTORS® Inc. is affiliated with both Florida Realtors® and the National Association of REALTORS®. One of the oldest REALTOR® associations in Florida, the Bartow Board was chartered on January 1, 1923, more than ninety years ago. Over nine decades, the REALTOR® members of the Bartow Board strive to uphold the high standards of professional behavior required of them by the REALTORS® Code of Ethics that all REALTORS® have sworn to uphold.


Although South Central Polk County, including Bartow and Fort Meade, saw only limited growth in the last century, this dynamic area is poised to lead the growth in not only Imperial Polk County, but also the vibrant Central Florida I-4 corridor. Bartow and Fort Meade have both the land and infrastructure to sustain growth for at least the first half of the 21st Century. The Bartow Board of REALTORS® and its REALTOR® members stand ready to lead Bartow and Fort Meade into the future.
Click here for more information about the Bartow Board of Realtors.

Bartow Scorecard

The Bartow Report Card provides a manufacturing and housing report from the BEDC.

MDL Mineral Development

HOUSING REPORT

  • 65 single-family homes (Square Lake – a gated community) Garden and custom homes. The first phase will have 32 homes. 20 custom home lots with three on the Square Lake and 12 garden homes.
  • 8 estate home lots on Magnolia Acres, an eight-lot subdivision of custome estate homes on EF Griffin Rd., N.
  • 98 single family homes on Thompson Preseve off Hwy. 17, on the west side across from WBF Radio.
  • 24 single family homes on 1/2 acre residential lots by Sackett Construction. Hwy. 60 West and 91 Mine Rd.
  • 13-lot subdivision at Dean Ranch, located on the northeast corner of Hwy 60 on Gandy Cemetery Road.
  • 835 single family housing with 50 and 70 foot lot options on EF Griffin Rd. called Wind Meadows South.
  • 500+ single family / multi-family homes at Stuart Crossings. Not yet platted, still in development stage.
  • 405 single family manufactured home community next to A-C-T Environmental and Infrastructure (west of town on Hwy. 60).
  • 22 single family townhouses by Sackett Construction on Church Street and First Avenue N. 8 sold so far.
  • Multiple homes planned within the next five years, north Bartow; also infill housing by CRA.