Lake County is teaming up with the Lake Economic Area Development (LEAD) Partnership to further grow, diversify, support, and unite the Lake County regional economy.
LEAD is a public/private organization created for the purpose of retaining, expanding, and recruiting quality jobs within Lake County. Lake County and LEAD are teaming up to work closely with municipalities, private businesses, chambers of commerce, educational and workforce organizations, and other related stakeholders to collectively drive economic growth in the county.
“Taking a proactive approach to economic development now will help us ensure a strong, prosperous future for Lake County,” County Commissioner Doug Shields said. “Support for an entrepreneurial environment, healthy wages, and access to continued education are all building blocks for a strong economic future.”
Economic growth is a key factor as Lake County’s population continues to grow at a greater rate than Florida’s overall growth rate. According to Younger Associates, an economic development research firm, Lake’s population grew by nearly 29 percent from 2010 to 2022. The State of Florida, in comparison, grew by 16.89 percent.
“Representing the private sector, we are proud to stand up the LEAD partnership, to accelerate the momentum to drive economic growth in our Lake County communities,” said Ben Pauhlun, LEAD Board Chair and Owner of Mount Dora based Optimus Energy Solutions.
LEAD plans to work together with the County to strengthen Lake’s economic future by:
– Creating more and better paying jobs for Lake County
– Creating a diverse, competitive economy for the region
– Developing a community that attracts and supports entrepreneurs
– Supporting existing Lake County businesses
– Attracting new businesses that create high-wage, high-value jobs
In the next five years, LEAD aims to increase job growth by 3,500 jobs within targeted sectors; increase the county’s average annual wage by twenty-five percent; and assist 250 entrepreneurs with business startups.
