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Lake Wales EDC and Chamber report new business leads, focus on raising per-capita income and workforce pipeline
Summary
Skip Alford, president and CEO of the Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council, presented first-quarter leads and said more industrial structures would help Lake Wales capture larger capital investment.
Skip Alford, president and CEO of the Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council, told the City Commission that the chamber is tracking prospective capital investments ranging from about $200,000 to several million dollars and that the city’s ability to compete improves if more industrial structures and sites are available.
Alford said the chamber is getting more inquiries from manufacturers and cited one “build-to-suit” prospect with large potential capital investment. He noted the city’s industrial inventory includes a 16.7-acre rail-front parcel and said the chamber is working with landowners and the city manager to pursue structure and site development.
Alford described economic indicators for Lake Wales and emphasized work to raise per-capita income. “Currently, the median household income in Lake Wales is about 55,000,” Alford said, and he added that “almost a quarter of the population” falls at or below the poverty level. He urged initiatives to increase per-capita income as a means to boost local consumer spending and overall economic health.
Alford also outlined workforce and talent development plans. He said the chamber will start a young-entrepreneurs program at Lake Wales High School and work with local universities and employers to expand career pathways in agriculture, culinary arts, applied engineering and skilled trades such as plumbing and welding.
During the presentation an attendee asked about the difference between “total jobs” and “retained jobs.” Alford said a retained-jobs figure came from a local company that submitted a soft lead through the Central Florida Development Council and that retained jobs are existing positions the company expects to keep rather than newly created positions. He said the housing authority tenant survey later referenced by planning staff found roughly 70% of tenants have cars, a point referenced in a later agenda item about parking for a housing redevelopment.
Alford closed by saying the chamber will continue to attract investment and support downtown and workforce programs. The presentation was informational; no formal commission action was recorded in the transcript.
