PLANT CITY – The new not-for-profit group that will guide economic development in Plant City has named its first leader.
The Plant City Economic Development Corp. last week announced Jacob “Jake” Austin as its first president and CEO.
Austin formerly worked for the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corp. and for a while was based in Plant City.
“Jake is very familiar with our community,” said Randy Larson, the Plant City group’s chairman.
He called Austin a “very strong fit for the Plant City Economic Development Corp.”
Austin’s background includes six years as a staff sergeant in the Air Force, followed by studies at Western Kentucky University. He worked for the state of Kentucky and the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce before moving to Florida.
He joined the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corp. in 2012 as a project manager and was promoted to the director of business retention and expansion last year.
Austin said he was looking forward to his new job working to bring economic growth to the city.
“Plant City is poised for growth,” Austin said.
Plant City formed its economic development corporation earlier this year.