Others became farmers in the muck areas of the region, and early citrus growers began clearing the land for what was to become the heart of the present-day industry. In 1909, a small group of growers banded together to form a citrus growers association, which would become one of the largest such co-ops in the state, and the largest employer in the city. In 1915, Florida Fruit Products Co. pioneered the production of bottled grapefruit juice, later adding guava juice to its line of products. This company was the leading processor of citrus in Florida throughout the 20s and 30s. In the late 40s, experimentation in frozen citrus concentrate began in Haines City, another pioneering venture that has changed the character and future of the citrus industry.
Citrus remains, however, the leading economic factor in the south-central area of Florida.
Meanwhile, through the last three decades, local business owners, industrialists, and developers have contributed greatly by growing their enterprises to significant levels. In very recent years, the Economic Development Committee of the Chamber of Commerce has aggressively pursued light industry and commercial development with good success.