New York Times best-selling author Austin Kleon will headline Southeastern University’s College of Arts & Media’s virtual Expressions Storytelling Institute and Writers’ Conference in January. “This year, the focus is on the business of being creative, and we tried to find somebody who could touch as many audiences as possible,” said Hannah Benefield, a creative […]
Two new board members are joining the new chair, vice-chair and secretary/treasurer to work with the Central Florida Development Council as it continues its mission to attract new industries to the area and help ones already here grow. Polk State College President Angela Garcia Falconetti became chair of the CFDC’s board of directors at its […]
Health systems engineering is the wave of the future — one that will help increase access to medical care, introduce efficiencies and improve patient care — and Florida Polytechnic University is once again on the cutting edge. The university is starting a new undergraduate concentration in health systems engineering (HSE), combining the STEM discipline Florida […]
BayCare’s medical facilities in Polk County have an almost $800 million economic impact, according to a 2020 study from the economic consulting firm Washington Economics Group (WEG). “BayCare’s economic impact in Polk County has continued to increase with $799 million annually, a 48% increase from 2016,” said Vjollca “Viola” Hysenlika, communications strategist for BayCare Health […]
Florida Polytechnic University is breaking new ground, preparing students to enter the U.S. Navy in fields that put their STEM degrees to good use — all surrounding nuclear propulsion. “Motivated students coming out of high school not only need to be made aware of these career programs but need to be mentored, trained and engaged […]
Fort Meade may be the oldest city in Polk County, but it’s up and coming right now, assisted by a progressive city manager, an energized community, state and federal grants, and a little help from its partners. City Manager Danielle Judd arrived 18 months ago and started making things happen quickly with the help of […]
As the Central Florida Development Council looks forward to 2021 focused on a recovering economy, it also reflects on the accomplishments from a year dominated by the coronavirus. “We foresee a future where the hub for high-tech employers may be in Polk County’s Central Florida Innovation District, capitalizing on the business-friendly location centrally positioned between […]
Through its Site Readiness program, Duke Energy is working to spur growth in the southeast region of Polk County. Having prepared the Frostproof Business Park, owned by Ben Hill Griffin Inc., for sale, Duke, along with the Central Florida Development Council, the city of Frostproof, Florida Midland Rail and the landowner will begin marketing it […]
CareerSource Polk is hosting a Veterans & Community Virtual Job Fair from 9 am to noon on Thursday, November 19 to connect job seekers with more than 25 companies that are eager to hire Polk County residents. CareerSource Polk, which oversees the state and federal funds dedicated to preparing and upgrading a skilled workforce, has […]
Students entering grades 6 through 10 in the 2021 – 2022 school year have the opportunity to begin thinking about their future now, especially if they want to attend a specialized school or career academy. Open enrollment for both runs from Nov. 10 through Jan. 12. Thirty of the county’s career academies have been recognized […]