Following a year in which the pandemic caused food insecurity for more people than ever, an estimated 17 million people, the Agriculture Council of America is focusing on “Food Brings Everyone to the Table” to celebrate National Agriculture Day on March 23. The objective of the 48th annual National Ag Day is “to celebrate agriculture […]
Second in an occasional series Emery Smith likes what he’s used to — citrus, Ben Hill Griffin Inc., and Central Florida. Together, they have an appeal that’s kept him close to his roots. He was born in Apopka but moved to Frostproof when he was in fifth grade, so he considers Frostproof home. His father […]
Polk Vision and Polk County Public Schools (PCPS) are teaching more than just students. Through a new pilot program at two elementary schools, the organizations are teaching parents how to better use technology to help their children while also helping themselves. While parents are learning about tech as part of the new Know & Grow […]
First in an occasional series Marc Hoenstine headed to Florida State University with one goal in mind: To become a psychologist and help people. When he realized that wasn’t what he envisioned, he decided to parlay his love for Germany and his fondness for languages and history into a degree in international relations. He hit […]
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 […]