The city of Lakeland is “Envisioning a Better Downtown,” a path to the future that will enhance not only Polk County’s largest city, but the entire region. “As we have often said in our county, ‘All ships float as the tide rises,’ ” Lakeland City Manager Tony Delgado said when talking about the strategic “Envisioning” […]
A company with a 120-year history continues to break ground in energy generation and economic development, priding itself in the work it does in Polk County and beyond. And all that helps it achieve its mission: to serve its customers. “Duke Energy focuses on attracting new business to its service territory (by) helping to utilize […]
Polk State College’s 16,000 students will soon have an easier path to a four-year degree at Florida Polytechnic University as the presidents of both institutions formalize an agreement they’ve been working on for a year. The transfer-articulation agreement means students who graduate from Polk State with an associate of arts degree will be allowed to […]
LEGOLAND Florida Resort continues to make a positive impact on Winter Haven and Polk County, with no signs of slowing down. Its latest bit of news came recently, when toymaker LEGO and a group of investors (private equity firm Blackstone and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board ) announced they were buying Merlin Entertainment, which […]
With a host of logistics companies like Saddle Creek calling Polk County home, the need for a talented, highly skilled workforce in supply chain management is critical. “Central Florida, and in particular Polk County, is the distribution hub for approximately 10 million people in a 100-mile radius,” according to Dr. James Fenton, dean of the […]
Investing early through smart infrastructure decisions is moving this Central Florida community into the future as a Smart City. The City of Winter Haven has been advancing its high-speed fiber-optic network for years, living by the “dig once” broadband Initiative that allows the city to install fiber and conduit whenever possible. The city believes the […]
Conversations with cities who border a proposed new Central Florida Innovation District near Florida Polytechnic University makes one thing clear: They are enthusiastic about the possibilities. “I’m very excited about it,” said Auburndale City Manager Bobby Green. “It’s one of those things that’s a great economic development opportunity for Polk County, and where that opportunity […]
Brothers from Brazil find educational success on their path to becoming chemical engineers. Miguel Amador was entering kindergarten when his parents moved the family from Araraquara, Brazil, to Lakeland in 2004. His brother, Victor, was part way through first grade. Speaking only Portuguese, they credit Valleyview Elementary School with ensuring they learned English. And they […]
A team of Central Florida Development Council representatives will be heading to the Paris Air Show to represent Polk County at the Enterprise Florida pavilion. Their goal: Recruit aviation and aerospace business to Polk County. “One of CFDC’s objectives is to promote Polk County as a global business hub, and the Paris Air Show, being […]
Aviation education takes flight in Polk County in many ways, supporting a growing industry that provides an $878 million economic impact to the area. The county’s aviation leaders, working together as part of a Central Florida Development Council’s aviation committee, hope to keep growing this sector of the economy. “Part of that strategy focuses on […]