Published: Oct 14, 2022

New Lake Economic Area Development (LEAD) Initiative for Lake County

A new economic development organization to serve Lake County is forming -- The Lake Economic Area Development (LEAD) Partnership is a public/private organization created and designed to lead efforts in further growing, diversifying, and uniting the Lake County regional economy.  The organization will work closely with government, private businesses, chambers of commerce, educational and workforce organizations, and other related stakeholders to collectively drive economic growth in Lake County.

Lake County has experienced significant population growth over the last two decades. However, while the population has grown, the community has not seen a corresponding increase in the number of primary employers. For more than two years, business leaders from throughout Lake County have been meeting and discussing how to play more of a leadership role in the economic agenda for the community. This concept of leadership—leading on the diversification of the local economy, leading on better-paying jobs, leading to grow the tax base, leading to build a self-sustaining economic future—is the premise on which LEAD is built.

LEAD is incorporated as a Florida non-profit and are in the process of securing their IRS designation as a 501(c)6 business organization.  A Board of Directors (20-25 members) comprised of business, community, and government leaders is currently being created to oversee the organization. They will be responsible for setting the strategic plan and approving annual Plans of Works and the budgets necessary for their implementation. Additionally, the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP), a similar public/private organization based in Marion County, will work closely with the LEAD Board of Directors and staff in the implementation of the plans through a management agreement. LEAD Board Chair and Owner of Mount Dora based Optimus Energy Solutions Ben Pauluhn says, “The CEP has a strong track record and proven business model in driving economic growth, and we are delighted to work together with them to push our Lake County economy forward into the future.”

CEP Chief Growth Officer Heather Shubirg will oversee the LEAD team which will be focused on Business Attraction, Business Retention, and Business Creation, with primary initial goals of 1) 3,500 new primary employment jobs; 2) those jobs will pay wages 15% above of County Average Wage; 3) Lake County Average Wage will increase 25%; and 4) Assist 250 entrepreneurs. “It’s an exciting milestone to launch the LEAD initiative in Lake County and I’m pleased to announce that the first two of three new employees have been hired, with the third imminent,” says Shubirg. “The team is eager to hit the ground running and to be Leading Lake Forward!”

Newly hired Vice President of LEAD and Business Creation Ray Villegas will be responsible for providing services and programming to Lake County entrepreneurial clients to assist in their growth and success. Villegas has lived in Lake County (Clermont) since 2004 and has worked at both the South Lake and Mount Dora Chambers, in addition to a few other economic development-related organizations in Central Florida.  In his role, Villegas will serve as the primary contact for potential new business owners for Lake County.

Director of Business Retention and Expansion Mike Kelly will oversee LEAD’s active communication, interaction, and support of existing businesses. Kelly is a Leesburg High School graduate, was involved in the Marion County School District for 30+ years, was most recently employed as the Principal at Marion Technical College and resides in Lady Lake.  Kelly will identify qualified manufacturers, distribution, and large service employers, along with identifying issues and opportunities relative to existing businesses.

LEAD has developed a five-year economic development initiative, dubbed “Leading Forward.” This program will focus on developing an environment that cultivates business competitiveness, innovation, and increased economic opportunities for Lake County residents. It is the vision of LEAD that Lake County will grow local primary jobs, push higher wages, and further economic diversification by 2027.

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Lake Economic Area Development (LEAD) is a new public-private partnership established to advance economic development for the people, businesses, and governments of Lake County. A 501(c)6 non-profit, the organization is supported by Lake County Board of County Commissioners, numerous cities, and the local business community. The organization is focused on Business Attraction (recruiting new primary employers), Business Retention (helping existing businesses thrive), and Business Creation (entrepreneurship).

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