Metro Orlando EDC gets firsthand view of Lake County businesses, development potential

TAVARES — Lake County’s Economic Development & Tourism Department showcased the county’s potential for future business development during an immersion tour and reception provided to representatives from the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission (EDC) on July 29 and 30. The tour featured stops at some of Lake County’s existing businesses, and highlighted areas around the county that are available for businesses looking to relocate to Central Florida. 

“We want to attract new companies to Lake County to bring new job opportunities to our residents, and the Metro Orlando EDC is in a great position to market our assets,” said Chairman Leslie Campione, Commissioner for District 4. “We have been responding to a lot of inquiries about our county from prospective companies and many of those contacts have come to us through the Metro Orlando EDC.”

The purpose of the tour was not only to show the Metro Orlando EDC some available land and buildings ready for businesses, but also to introduce the representatives to some of Lake County’s history and culture. 

“We thought it was important for the EDC to see more than just some empty buildings and ask them to help fill them – we really wanted to give them a glimpse of the people, the places and the way of life that make Lake County unique,” Campione said. “The special combination of community and culture, along with the development opportunities, will drive positive economic growth.”

The first night of the tour, The Lake 100, a group of presidents and CEOs in Lake County, hosted a reception at the Mission Inn Resort & Club. More than 130 businesses were represented from a variety of industries across Lake County. During the reception, Rick Weddle, president and CEO of the Metro Orlando EDC, spoke about Lake County’s many contributions to Central Florida, and what the Metro Orlando EDC is doing to recruit business to the county. 

“The turnout was tremendous, and the feedback we have received from the Metro Orlando EDC has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Robert Chandler, director of the Economic Development & Tourism Department. “They came away from the reception and tour thoroughly impressed with our business leaders, as well as our collective passion for Lake County.” 

To learn more about the Metro Orlando EDC, visit www.orlandoedc.com. For information on starting, relocating or expanding a business in Lake County, visit www.BusinessInLakeFL.com or call the Lake County Economic Development & Tourism Department at 352-742-3918.