Industries
Target Industries
Target Industries
Lake County is committed to fostering a business environment that is welcoming to new and existing businesses alike.
The region is home to thousands of businesses across a wide range of industries from local, one-man shops to multi-national corporations.
Lake County is centered between three of the top 15 growing locations in the U.S. With this significant growth comes increased industry to support this growing population.
158,000%
Employed in Lake County
36.7%
Increase in Industry Establishments over the past 10 years
$10 Billion
Lake County total GDP
Home to industry leading employers
Target Industries
Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Lake County’s strategic location in Central Florida provides tremendous growth opportunities for logistics and distribution companies.
The county is well-connected with a network of highways, including Interstate 75 and Florida’s Turnpike. Several international airports including Orlando International and Tampa International are nearby, as well as seaports such as Port Canaveral and Port Tampa Bay.
Lake County’s position within the state provides businesses with efficient connectivity to key markets and distribution networks.
This combined with the region’s business-friendly policies, a robust and skilled workforce and available sites and facilities makes Lake County an ideal location for the industry.
In 2021, the logistics, transportation and distribution industry produced $0.6 billion in GDP for Lake County, an increase of 4.7% over the past 10 years.
Within a 45-minute drive time
5%
5-Year Historic Growth Rate (compared to 2.1% in the U.S.)
93,000+
Employed in the Industry
$69,509
Average Wage
Source: JobsEQ®; Data as of 2022Q4
7,700+ Industry-Related Degrees/Certificates Awarded Annually in Key Areas
Business Administration and Management
Operations Management and Supervision
Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology
Industries in the region with high LQs
High location quotients (LQs) indicate sectors in which a region has high concentrations of employment compared to the national average, indicating strong competitive advantages in place.
2.55 LQ
Business Administration and Management
2.32 LQ
Refrigerated Warehousing & Storage
2.02 LQ
General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance
Home to industry leading employers
Education & Workforce Program
Recognizing the high demand for positions within the transportation industry, Lake-Sumter State College’s Training and Simulation Center offers students the opportunity to earn a Commercial Driver License from the State of Florida from a week-long intensive program
Lake Technical College provides training programs related to transportation and logistics. They offer programs such as Commercial Vehicle Driving, Diesel Systems Technology and Supply Chain Management. These programs provide students with hands-on training and skills necessary to excel in careers in the industry.
University of Central Florida’s College of Business offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate business programs, all of which are accredited by AACSB International. Less than 5 percent of business school programs worldwide have earned this accreditation, which requires strict adherence to rigorous standards of excellence.
The University of South Florida’s College of Business in Tampa offers a degree in Supply Chain Management. Graduates from this program enter the workforce in supply chain positions across multiple types of companies including manufacturing, distribution, transportation and retailing.
Target Industries
Manufacturing
Lake County boasts a skilled workforce that supports the manufacturing industry.
Extensive transportation infrastructure and low union rates combined with a robust workforce makes Lake County a prime location for the industry. The 45-minute region surrounding the county is home to nearly 50,000+ manufacturing employees earning an average of $78,801.
Manufacturing companies in Lake County are able to grow bigger and faster with quick access to markets and a vast talent pool.
Not only is there already a large pool of talent, but the talent pipeline continues to grow each year.
A plethora of educational institutions in the region offer programs and certifications related to the manufacturing industry, providing a reliable pipeline of trained workers. Workforce development initiatives and partnerships with local businesses help ensure the availability of skilled labor for operations.
In 2021, the manufacturing industry produced $0.6 billion in GDP for Lake County, an increase of 4.7% over the past 10 years.
Within a 45-minute drive time
2.9%
5-Year Historic Growth Rate (compared to 0.6% in the U.S.)
50,200+
Employed in the Industry
$78,801
Average Wage
5.0%
Manufacturing Union Rate
Source: JobsEQ®; Data as of 2022Q4
3,400+ Industry-Related Degrees/Certificates Awarded Annually in Key Areas
Operations Management and Supervision
Welding Technology
Telecommunications Technology
Industries in the region with high LQs
High location quotients (LQs) indicate sectors in which a region has high concentrations of employment compared to the national average, indicating strong competitive advantages in place
7.96 LQ
Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing
6.35 LQ
Concrete Product Manufacturing
6.30 LQ
Prefabricated Metal Building & Component Manufacturing
Home to industry leading employers
Employs 10,000
Employs 10,000
Employs 10,000
Employs 10,000
Employs 10,000
Education & Workforce Program
The K-12 Lake County School District prepares students early for careers in the manufacturing industry by offering multiple Career and Technical Education programs for a variety of career clusters. Middle school students are able to explore career pathways while high school students are able to participate in programs resulting in post-secondary certificates or two- and four- year college degrees.
Lake Technical College provides training programs specifically tailored for manufacturing careers. They offer programs such as Welding Technology, CNC Machining, Industrial Maintenance and Industrial Engineering Technology.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University offers various manufacturing related programs to prepare students for careers in the manufacturing industry, particularly in aerospace and related fields. These programs provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the manufacturing and production processes involved in aviation, aerospace and other high-tech industries.
University of Central Florida’s College of Engineering and Computer Science drives innovation and research across several fields relating to manufacturing such as aerospace, civil, computer, electrical, environmental and mechanical engineering. The college has partnerships in place with industry connections such as NASA, L3Harris Corporation, Lockheed Martin, Duke Energy, Siemens and more.
Target Industries
Agribusiness/Agri-tech
The agriculture industry is thriving in Lake County.
The combination of a favorable climate, diverse agriculture, speedy access to markets and available agriculture support services such as research centers and technical training programs have contributed to the ongoing success of the industry.
Within a 45-minute drive time
1.7%
5-Year Historic Growth Rate (compared to -0.2% in the U.S.)
8,500+
Employed in the Industry
$43,032
Average Wage
Source: JobsEQ®; Data as of 2022Q4
800+ Industry-Related Degrees/Certificates Awarded Annually in Key Areas
Biotechnology
Landscaping and Groundskeeping
Environmental Studies
Industries in the region with high LQs
High location quotients (LQs) indicate sectors in which a region has high concentrations of employment compared to the national average, indicating strong competitive advantages in place.
23.60 LQ
Fertilizer Manufacturing
20.74 LQ
Nursery and Tree Production
16.31 LQ
Orange Groves
Home to industry leading employers
Employs 10,000
Employs 10,000
Employs 10,000
Employs 10,000
Employs 10,000
Education & Workforce Program
The Lake County School District offers an Agricultural Education Program in partnership with the Future Farmers of America. The program provides students with hands-on learning experiences in agriculture, including animal science, horticulture, agribusiness and natural resources.
The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) operates an extension office in Lake County. The office provides educational programs, trainings, workshops and resources for agricultural professionals.
Lake Technical College offers several programs in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. These programs provide students with pathways for a wide variety of careers in agrotechnology, animal science, plant science, food products and processing and environmental science.
The Lake County Farm Bureau plays a crucial role in promoting and supporting the county’s agriculture industry. They offer scholarships and educational programs to students pursuing careers in agriculture.