23
SMART
Communities
LEAD Team
The traditional work of the Smart
Communities Team has been to
educate and build community
consensus around the vital
importance of a robust broadband
network in Polk County.
2017-2018 HIGHLIGHTS:
ABOVE: This past year, the Team expanded its work to include the
identification of the links necessary to create a connected, multi-
jurisdictional municipal system and the adoption of technology to
facilitate data driven decision making and problem-solving efforts.
ABOVE: On January 25, 2018 the Smart Communities Team launched
the first in a series of topical presentations. Partnering with both Winter
Haven Economic Development Council and Chamber of Commerce,
The Future of Infrastructure was held at the Polk State College, Center
for Public Safety and featured Anthony Bartolomeo, President & CEO of
Pennoni who discussed how strategically incorporating technology into
infrastructure investments is critical to achieving reduced life-cycle costs
and close the nation’s infrastructure deficit.
Polk County ranks among the
bottom 25 in
the nation for high-speed internet use (358th of 381.)
(American Community Survey, 2013)
Bottom 10 in the nation for STEM jobs (91st of
100.) (WalletHub, 2014)
Bottom 10 in the nation for households with
broadband subscriptions (94th of 100.)
(Brookings, 2014)
• A partnership between the City
of Lakeland and the Polk County
Public School District to connect
more than 40 schools in the
Lakeland area to high-speed
fiber with 1 Gig service.
• The City of Haines City is working
with the Polk County Public
School District to provide 1 Gig
service to their schools.
• Unprecedented collaboration
and coordination with Florida
Department of Transportation
District One with respect to dig
once policy and fiber installation
along State roadways.
• Resolutions adopted by the
county and 6 municipalities
supporting the broadband and
smart technology efforts of the
Smart Communities LEAD team.
• Supported the commission of a
Smart Communities assessment
of the City of Winter Haven
conducted by students from
Florida Polytechnic University.
Eric Labbe // Planning Manager,
City of Winter Haven
A smart community is one that
not only encourages and facilitates
the development of essential 21st
Century infrastructure, but actively
seeks to utilize that technology
in innovative ways to improve the
quality of life of its residents and
guests.”