Economic Development Infrastructure Program

City of Lakeland Incentives Outline

City of Lakeland Incentives: We're open for business.

Incentives are an investment in our economic future and are designed to target the needs of companies and local development plans. Successful businesses require growth and the City of Lakeland offers an array of incentives to help businesses make a smart investment.

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Impact Fee Mitigation

In support of development that encourages quality job growth, pre-approved applicants creating 100+ new jobs, high wage jobs, or adding industrial building inventory may receive a reduction of non-utility impact fees.

*NEW* Utility Impact Fee Financing

The financing of utility impact fees is available to commercial and industrial projects with water and wastewater fees of $400,000+ for a period of no more than 4 years at a low-interest rate.

*NEW* Manufacturing/Research & Development

Manufacturing and certain Research and Development projects that meet one of the established criteria may be eligible to receive a grant of up to $400,000 for infrastructure-related expenses.

More info in the accordion menu below and in this PDF.

*NEW* Encouraging Development Growth & Expansion

EDGE is an infrastructure matching grant for new or expanding food- related service and manufacturing businesses. Eligible improvements: backflow preventers, venting systems, grease traps, and fire sprinkler systems.

More info in the accordion menu below and in this PDF.

Polk County Bonus Incentive

PCBI is a job grant that was established to compete for projects statewide and nationally. The incentive is based on a calculation of the average job wage and capital investment to determine eligibility.

Electric Economic Development Rider

Lakeland Electric designed this incentive to help attract new investment and jobs. Eligible companies may receive discounts on new electric demand for up to five years.

Redevelopment Programs & Incentives

The Lakeland CRA has a suite of incentive programs designed to encourage beautification, economic development, and community partnerships within the redevelopment district.
Encouraging Development Growth & Expansion (EDGE) Program
The EDGE Economic Development Infrastructure Incentive Program supports the development of new and expanding manufacturing and food service-related businesses that are located within Lakeland’s City limits through a $10,000 dollar-for-dollar matching grant. Assistance may be provided to qualified projects through electric, water and wastewater utility connections and upgrades, installation of attached fixtures, grease traps, backflow preventers, venting systems, sprinkler systems, solid waste and recycling management and engineering services for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing upgrades.

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APPLICATION
- Completed and signed application
- Notarized letter from property owner
- Project description and schedule
- Letter of support from a local small business resource such as, the Lakeland Chamber, the Lakeland CRA, Catapult or the LEDC
- Estimate of cost for the infrastructure improvements requested
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
- Small and mid-sized manufacturers that use innovative technology to make and improve customizable products and/or processes that drive the economy for customers.
- Businesses that are food-related ventures, such as sit-down restaurants, coffee/tea shops, bakeries, commissary kitchens, grocery store, produce market, micro-brewery, distillery, health food store or other specialty food store.
- Financial assistance is intended for the rehabilitation and restoration of existing properties only.
- Project must be outside of a designated CRA.
ELIGIBLE IMPROVEMENTS
- Electric, water and wastewater utility connections
- Installed and attached features, including grease traps, backflow preventers, venting systems, and fire sprinkler systems
- Solid waste and recycling management
- Engineering services for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing upgrades (not to exceed 20% of the grant total)
The following items are specifically ineligible for the program:
- Equipment that is not attached or affixed to the building/structure
- Furniture
- Interior design fees
- New construction
Improvements must be consistent with the City of Lakeland’s Land Development Regulations and Engineering Standards. Grant funds may not be used to correct code violations or to bring a structure up to current code.

Applicant is responsible for obtaining or having obtained all required local and state approvals and permitting for the work to be completed.

FUNDS & DISTRIBUTION
- The maximum available matching grant per project shall be $10,000.
- The incentive shall be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to qualified applicants that submit a completed application.
- Matching funds shall be provided to the applicant after proof of Certificate of Occupancy (CO) has been provided.
- Once the incentive funds annual distribution has been depleted, no additional projects shall be funded until the incentive is replenished by the City Commission in the next fiscal year.
- Unencumbered dollars within this incentive fund shall roll over annually.
PROCESS

Qualified applicants must submit a complete application to the City Manager’s Office on the 3rd floor of City Hall at 228 S. Massachusetts Avenue. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. City staff will review the application for completeness against the review criteria. A letter of acceptance will be provided to applicants that successfully meet the criteria of the program. Incentive funds will be reimbursed to qualified and approved projects in one payment after proof of Building Permit and Certificate of Occupancy.
Manufacturing / Research & Development Program
The Economic Development Infrastructure Incentive Program supports the development of both new and expanding economic development projects that advance the manufacturing base within the City of Lakeland. Assistance may be provided to qualified projects through electric, water and wastewater utility extensions and relocations, transportation infrastructure development and/or utility impact fee reimbursements.

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APPLICATION
- Completed and signed application
- Letter of support from the LEDC
- Project description and schedule
- Estimate of cost for the infrastructure improvements requested
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

The Economic Development Infrastructure Incentive Program is available to expanding and new manufacturing businesses that are located in or will locate to the City of Lakeland. Consideration may be given to specific projects that are located outside the City limits but within the service territory of the utility infrastructure they are seeking assistance with. To be eligible, applicants must meet one of the three criteria listed below.
- Create a minimum of 25 new jobs paying an average wage of 125% of Polk County Average Annual Wage
- Create a minimum of 50 new jobs paying an average wage of 100% of Polk County Average Annual Wage
- Minimum capital investment of $10 million
ELIGIBLE IMPROVEMENTS
- Permitting Fee Reimbursement
- Mitigate Water and Wastewater Impact Fees
- Relocation of Water, Wastewater and Electric Transmission Lines
- Infrastructure Improvements
- Electric Transformers and Dual Feeds
- Transportation and Traffic Improvements
FUNDS & DISTRIBUTION
- The maximum available incentive per project shall be $400,000.
- The incentive shall be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to qualified applicants that submit a completed application.
- Once the incentive fund’s annual distribution has been depleted, no additional projects shall be funded until the incentive is replenished in the next fiscal year or is otherwise directed by the City Commission.
- Unencumbered dollars within this incentive fund shall roll over annually.
- The carryover balance of the incentive fund shall not exceed $1 million prior to October 1st of the current fiscal year.
PROCESS

Qualified applicants must submit a complete application to the City Manager’s Office on the 3rd floor of City Hall at 228 S. Massachusetts Avenue. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and incentive funds shall be awarded with the execution of an approved agreement in the form of a Resolution adopted by the Lakeland City Commission. City staff will review the application for completeness against the review criteria. Incentive funds will be reimbursed to qualified and approved projects in one payment after proof of Building Permit and Certificate of Occupancy.