General Information > Background
During 1995-96, representatives from 12 East Polk County communities worked diligently to bring resources together in order to create a stronger alliance for addressing economic growth. The Central Florida Development Council (CFDC) offered tremendous support and assistance throughout the transition period and development of East Polk Committee of 100. The communities of Auburndale, Davenport, Dundee, Eagle Lake, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Haines City, Lake Alfred, Lake Hamilton, Lake Wales, Polk City, and Winter Haven formed and incorporated the East Polk Committee of 100, Inc. (EPC100), a consortium to address economic growth. The EPC100 selected their first Executive Director and immediately began building a solid membership of businessmen and women from the region. Articles of Incorporation were approved by the Department of State, and in 1996 the first Board of Directors was elected.
Close working, effective relationships were developed through the continued cooperation, coordination, and encouragement of the CFDC, Enterprise Florida, as well as other economic development organizations, and ongoing successes are realized.
East Polk County experienced the strongest residential and business growth rate of any region in Polk County during the last half of the 1990s, and the growth rate continues at an incredibly strong pace. Today, through the industrious effort and support of the EPC100's growing membership, a diversified slate of objectives that includes industry support, workforce development, and transportation are successfully being addressed.
