Why Lakeland is one of the best cities for startups

Screen Shot 2019-12-13 at 11.19.26 AM

Lake Mirror | Photo by @catapultlkld

Table of Contents

Congrats, Lakeland. We were just included in Inc.’s list of The 50 Best U.S. Cities for Starting a Business in 2020.

To figure out which towns are the most excellent areas for entrepreneurs, Inc. + Startup Genome gathered the 411 on 50 U.S. cities and ranked them on several categories like early-stage funding, job creation, and wage growth.

Ranked solid at no. 30 (right smack between Dallas, TX, and Spokane, WA), Lakeland is highlighted at holding the top spot in population growth, second in job creation + tenth in business creation.

A few other reasons LAL made the list:

  • We are celebrated for our mild climate.
  • Our poppin’ food + entertainment scene – like The Yard on Mass + The Joinery.
  • Median housing prices remain low.
  • Our innovative business community (looking at you Catapult + LEDC).

We’re coming for ya next year at no.1, Austin, TX.

Poll

– LALtoday team (Jessica + Kaylee)

More from LALtoday
The only thing better than a baseball game is when it comes with extra perks.
See top performers on stage when they stop in Tampa + Orlando on Broadway national tours.
Polk County plans to reconstruct the boardwalk over the lake and add a stoplight at a busy intersection near Southeastern University.
This annual festival celebrates all things aviation. Save this guide to admission, activities, and aviation fun.
Students can now order food online, and an AI-powered food delivery robot will bring it directly to their location. Would you like to see this tech in another part of Lakeland?
Let us plan your nightly entertainment with movies, live music, and stage shows, plus the perfect places to grab a bite.
In response to a statewide water shortage, the Southwest Florida Water Management District is enacting water restrictions for Polk County and surrounding areas.
Polk County Public Schools just broke ground on Junior Achievement’s innovative new Discovery Center where students will get hands-on business experience.
When it comes to hyperspecific food festival themes, Central Florida has the recipe down pat.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.