Steve Morey, President & CEO, Plant City EDC

July 2026 — Invest: spoke with Steve Morey, president and CEO of The Plant City Economic Development Corporation (EDC), about how Plant City is converting industrial momentum into downtown vibrancy, workforce readiness, and balanced long-term growth. “Growing smartly means growing in all of the areas that make a community work,” Morey said.

What key changes over the past year have had the biggest impact on the EDC and the businesses you support?

Plant City is at a point where we are starting to see the full cycle of economic development show up in real, visible ways. Over the last 10 years, we have seen more than 12 million square feet of new industrial investment, and while industrial development has not always been easy, we are now seeing that business investment translate back into community investment.

A tangible example is what is happening in our historic downtown. New businesses are choosing to open in Plant City, and that reflects growing confidence in the market and an improving quality of place. We have new restaurants, including Propagation, and we expect two new breweries to open in historic downtown Plant City within the next year, likely within the next six months. That kind of activity is a signal that investment is not confined to one sector, and that our community is becoming more well-rounded.

On the public side, the city has also been aggressive in investing in parks and recreation, amenities, and quality-of-life projects. We have new pickleball courts, tennis courts, and basketball courts going in, and there has been analysis and planning around a new canalway trail that we hope will move forward. When you combine private-sector momentum with public investment, you start to see a different level of traction. The success in commercial development is translating into improvements that benefit residents, and that is important for sustaining growth.

As industrial activity expands, communities often focus on infrastructure, traffic, and utilities. What factors are you watching most closely right now?

Utilities and roadways are always top of mind, and that is especially true when you look at the growth we are expecting over the next 20 years. We want to stay ahead of the curve, not react to it. On the transportation side, FDOT is doing a great job expanding I-4, which runs right through Plant City. That will be helpful in alleviating traffic and improving mobility for both residents and employers.

Beyond I-4, we are watching key arterial and local roadway improvements. Park Road is a major example, and it is slated to be resurfaced and worked on. These projects matter because they support industrial operations, commuter flows, and overall safety and reliability for the community.

From a land and development standpoint, we also pay close attention to where new industrial capacity will come online. We still have one industrial park with over 100 acres available to be developed, and we have two new industrial parks moving forward: the Stalwart Industrial Park on the northwest side of town, and the Blue Steel development on County Line Road between Plant City and Lakeland. As those sites develop, we want to make sure infrastructure keeps pace, because more industrial investment can translate into broader community benefits when it is supported properly.

How is Plant City positioning itself to attract and develop the talent needed to support that growth?

We are positioned well in terms of workforce, both because of our labor shed and because of our education and training resources. Plant City has access to a large pool of workers, and we also have institutions that can help people build the skills employers need.

Hillsborough Community College has a Plant City campus, which is an important asset. In addition, we recently opened the Ricklot Technical College. It is a Hillsborough County Schools facility, but it is state-of-the-art, and it is a significant investment in workforce training. It is located next to the Plant City Baseball Stadium, it is built for the skills that matter in today’s economy, and it gives us a strong tool for preparing residents for the next phase of growth.

Workforce readiness has to be practical. It is not just about having people, it is about having the right training pathways so that as new jobs come online, our residents are qualified to step into them. That is how you build long-term economic resilience, and it is a major priority as we continue to recruit and expand industry.

As Plant City grows, how are you thinking about preserving identity while embracing future development?

Growing smartly means growing in all of the areas that make a community work. As the city grows, not just in population and investment, but potentially in geographic size through annexation, we need to keep balance front and center. Annexation can happen in different ways, including voluntary annexation and annexation through referendum, and as those conversations evolve, the priority is to make sure growth is intentional.

That means we cannot grow only in response to industrial needs. We have to make space for parks and recreational areas, because quality of life drives long-term talent attraction and retention. We also need to ensure there is a strong retail mix, so residents’ shopping needs are met and there is variety in where people can shop, gather, and be entertained.

When we talk about embracing the future while preserving the past, that is what it looks like in practice. We want economic momentum, but we also want a community that remains livable, connected, and reflective of what makes Plant City distinct.

What challenges and trends are shaping Plant City’s business community right now, and where do you see the biggest opportunities?

Plant City has a strong foundation in agriculture and manufacturing, and the question is how we build on that base as the economy evolves. Agriculture, in particular, is becoming increasingly technology-based, and that creates new pathways for growth if we position ourselves well.

A major development is the University of Florida’s new agricultural AI research facility just south of Plant City. It has not even been fully constructed yet, but it is a strong indicator of where innovation in agriculture is headed. There are significant opportunities for our region to connect to that kind of research and development, and to translate innovation into new businesses, new partnerships, and new career pathways.

The goal is to take what Plant City has always been strong in and move it into the next phase. That creates more jobs and more growth, and it helps ensure that as job requirements change, our people are prepared and opportunities exist locally.

How does the EDC collaborate with local government, education, and regional partners to make sure growth aligns with community priorities?

By design, the Economic Development Corporation is the meeting point for those voices. Government leaders, business leaders, community leaders, and education leaders sit around the table through the EDC, and that structure helps keep lines of communication open and consistent.

A core role of the EDC is to maintain strong communication with employers. We need to be in lockstep with the businesses operating in our community so we understand what they need and where barriers exist. That helps us support growth in a way that is grounded in actual needs, not perceived needs.

Plant City plays a unique role within the greater Tampa Bay ecosystem. How would you describe that role, and what differentiates Plant City as a destination for investment?

Our location is a major differentiator. We straddle I-4, one of the busiest interstates in the country, and it runs right through the middle of our city. We also share a border with Lakeland, which has been one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States.

Plant City’s agricultural heritage remains central to its identity. The Strawberry Festival and institutions like Parksdale Market reinforce that legacy. At the same time, we are adding industry, adding jobs, and adding residents.

The key is balance. We want everything growing in lockstep, and we want to preserve natural areas and the experience of Old Florida that people still seek.

As you look to the next two to three years, what are your key goals and priorities for the EDC?

One priority is supporting the Midtown Development, a 16-acre city-owned site adjacent to our historic downtown that recently became available. Depending on what ultimately goes there, it could be transformative.

The second priority is expanding the EDC’s role in recruiting and evolving the mix of attractions, entertainment, and retail in Plant City. We have successfully brought in industry, and now we must ensure that quality of life continues to rise alongside economic growth.

Economic development is about ensuring a city is a place where people want to live, work, and invest. If we maintain that balance, the growth we are seeing today can become a durable advantage for Plant City in the years ahead.