Polk County is at the center of talent migration within the state, drawing skilled workers from far and near. According to Emsi, a labor market data company, it is ranked 12th out of 3,000 counties nationwide with populations exceeding 100,000 that have seen the highest talent migration since 2016. Polk also ranks 19th in Skilled Job […]
Prime Meridian Bank, which moved into Lakeland two years ago, celebrated its 13th anniversary in February 2021. The bank was founded in Tallahassee by Sammie Dixon in 2008 and now has four Florida locations: two in the state’s capital, one in Crawfordville and one in Lakeland. Tanya Isaman, Prime Meridian’s new market president for Polk […]
Despite the challenges of this year’s legislative session, which runs from March 2 through April 30, those involved in the process are ready, having introduced bills or worked with lobbyists to advocate for those deemed important. We talked to David Shepp, a lobbyist with The Southern Group and chair of the Central Florida Development Council’s […]
Twenty years ago, cybercrimes cost businesses $17.8 million in damages. This year, Cybersecurity Ventures estimates cybercrimes will cost the global marketplace $6 trillion. This staggering number is one reason Polk State’s Corporate College is offering an apprenticeship program starting March 8 to help employers train and upskill employees in cybersecurity. “All businesses and industry employers […]
As the pandemic shuttered some businesses and slowed others, those involved in the construction industry have stayed busy as more people and businesses move to Polk County, expand or remodel. Kimley-Horn Kimley-Horn’s planning and design consultants had a tremendous 2020, with growth in the residential and distribution sectors, said Elisa Harden, senior project manager. “We […]
Two local colleges are teaming up to provide students with degrees that will allow them to enter STEM-related fields with high-level business acumen. Florida Polytechnic University students will have a chance to continue their education for one year at Florida Southern College to earn a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA). The public-private partnership will save […]
Originally published in Viva Polk Magazine Starting a business goes beyond the act of establishing a legal entity and includes much more than just having an idea or concept. Javier Marín of the Central Florida Economic Development Council states that it also requires financing, marketing, skills to make the product or provide the service, continuity, patience, ability to interact […]
Lakeland Regional Health’s new Institute for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and Medicine is one more tool Polk County has to help reduce the rate of obesity. Ranked the No. 2 health concern in the 2020 Community Health Assessment (CHA), nearly 39% of people in Polk County are considered obese, having a body mass index (BMI) […]
CareerSource Polk is offering a wide range of programs to help adults gain skills that make them more marketable in today’s workplace and to assist businesses re-train and retain employees. Chrissanne Long, CEO of Maximize Digital Media, recently learned of the programs, which she said every small business owner should consider. “We have had great […]
With a focus squarely on high school seniors, Polk County Public Schools increased its graduation rate to a record high of 86.5%, up from 81.2% in 2019. There were many achievements to celebrate along with the overall increase: The graduation rate has increased almost 15% over the last five years. The rate at the county’s […]