They may not have a crystal ball, but part of the gig at the Lakeland Economic Development Council (LEDC) is to see what's coming in the city's future.

One thing we know: President Steve Scruggs will retire next year after four decades at the helm, and newly named Executive Vice President Christin Strawbridge will take his place. We asked them what they anticipate will be the "next big thing" to shape Lakeland's future economy.

1. High-skill, high-wage jobs

Recruiting companies that require specialized skills and pay top dollar is one of the LEDC's top initiatives. These could include engineering, manufacturing, technology, or healthcare.

Lakeland's wishlist of new businesses + restaurants is ever-growing. By increasing the average local income, these employers put Lakeland on the radar for more companies seeking their next markets.

"We need to create [high-skill, high-wage jobs], because if we get enough income, those [companies] come," Scruggs said.

Polk County has become the state's test bed for autonomous cars and air taxis. | Photo provided by Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise

2. Innovation District

Several new developments around Florida Polytechnic University have the LEDC excited. The school continues to grow its reputation in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics — just scroll through its latest stories for proof — and others are starting to take note.

Take International Flavors & Fragrances, for example, which built a Citrus Innovation Center on Florida Poly's campus. The Florida Department of Transportation also built its SunTrax testing facility nearby, where it's testing self-driving cars and Advanced Air Mobility. Innovative organizations like these generate more of those high-skill, high-wage jobs.

3. Private funding

More and more local projects are being funded from the private sector rather than the government, and the LEDC predicts more donors could step up to fund developments important to them. It's already been successful for other projects — looking at you, Bonnet Springs Park.

A rendering of an indoor/outdoor venue with large windowed walls, green space, and walkways — Mass Market could be Lakeland's next destination for business, dining, healthcare, and events. | Rendering provided by Straughn Trout Architects

4. Downtown area developments

Downtown Lakeland is at the center of a few major changes. Developers are working to transform the East Main District, just past the overpass by The Joinery, into a Local Makers (LoMa) Village. The first piece of the project is Baseline, a pickleball/dining concept coming to a former warehouse on Rose Street next year, followed by maker spaces + showrooms.

North of downtown, the Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency plans to redevelop nine blocks in Midtown. Plans for the Mass Market area include restaurants, retail, residential, and office space in mixed-use buildings.

"I hope that they would meet in the middle, where we start building some significant residential downtown," Scruggs said, because residential growth could spur business development downtown.

From gallery openings to mural festivals, expect to see even more creativity infused into Lakeland's culture. | Photo by LALtoday

5. Creative takeover

Within the last year or so, we've seen major upgrades to the Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art and the start of the Depot Arts District. Keeping up with all the new startups and restaurants opening is nearly impossible. All of these point to one prediction: creativity is on the rise in Lakeland.

"Whatever we've done from an economic development standpoint, it's attracting people who weren't here before," Scruggs said. "It's attracting people who want to be part of building something. They see Lakeland as a place where they can do that with lower barriers."

6. Community pride

As fun as it is to look to the future, Strawbridge, who grew up here, also expects that Lakelanders will look back on how far we've come and remember what makes Lakeland so special. "Something big that's been happening recently is just remembering how great it really is here," she said. "There are so many great things going on."

That pride in place shines through the LEDC's work over the past 40+ years. Scruggs said he's proud to have played "a small role in creating a community that our children want to return to."