Polk Vision was formed in 2003 to bring residents together with government and community leaders to examine and address the issues we face in Polk County. A diverse 26-person Steering Committee hired Henry Luke from Jacksonville, Florida to facilitate the visioning process and Colleen Burton as the organization's Executive Director.

Our guiding principle...

to create a Polk County sense of community that fosters pride in our county, emphasizes our sense of place, celebrates our heritage and recognizes and includes our many physical & assets and diverse cultures.

Phase I of Polk Vision began in January 2004 with a series of 16 focus groups followed by 5 community meetings in March. These meetings were held to gain insight into perceived Polk County strengths and weaknesses. At these meetings over 700 county residents identified issues important to their lives and their community.

Due to the geographic expanse of Polk County, five Task Forces were created to represent the region. These Task Forces, formed with over 390 community stakeholders, met in Winter Haven, Lake Wales, Bartow, Haines City and Lakeland to review the issues identified in the focus groups and community meetings. The result of their collaboration is a shared Vision of what Polk County citizens want their community to be in the next 5 to 20 years. The Vision sets priorities with goals and strategies in six foundation areas (Education, Economic Development, Infrastructure, Government, Quality of Life and Private Sector Leadership) that will enhance the quality of life in Polk County for years to come.

During the summer of 2004, the Vision was presented to the residents of Polk County for review and input. The members of the Polk Vision Steering Committee revised the draft Visio with input received from the community and adopted the final Vision on August 2, 2004.

The Polk Vision process has moved into Phase II, which includes the implementation of Strategies and development of Action Steps. Foundation Teams have been established in each of the six foundation areas. A Benchmark Team has also been established to measure the progress of all efforts.

Polk Vision continues to recruit Vision Partners to work with the Foundation and Benchmark teams. It will take the community, in partnership with public and private organizations, working together to make the Vision a reality.

Our Vision

In order to create a Polk County sense of community that fosters pride in our county, emphasizes our sense of place, celebrates our heritage and recognizes and includes our many physical assets and diverse cultures…

Before 2024, Polk County will have:

a world-class, fully integrated education system that supports the needs of a vibrant progressive community.
an economic development environment that attracts quality businesses with higher paying jobs, improves productivity and retains our youth.
growth management and infrastructure that protects the environment and quality of life, supports education and economic development, and is economically sustainable.
a comprehensive system of government that is effective, efficient and diverse while responding to the basic needs of its citizens.
a quality of life that encourages diverse backgrounds to live in harmony while developing physically, spiritually, mentally, and culturally within a healthy and safe environment.
private sector leadership that drives the partnership with government and citizens in ensuring that Polk County is a premiere place to live, learn, work and play.