The three largest energy providers in Polk County agree on one thing: The more advancements that are made in generating and storing solar energy, the more the renewable source will continue to grow. “Solar energy is important; it’s a cleaner source for getting energy,” said Lakeland Electric General Manager Joel Ivy. “But the intermittency of […]
The coronavirus put life on hold for many in the second quarter of 2020, but the City of Lakeland continues to see residential growth in a key part of its city: downtown. Two residential projects are in the works: Broadway Real Estate Services is building a 90-unit apartment complex at Lake Avenue and Lime Street […]
As the population of Polk County continues to grow, Central Florida Health Care is growing with it — with plans to continue well into next year. The non-profit health care organization started in Frostproof in 1972, providing medical services in a clinic staffed with a doctor and a nurse to the agricultural community in rural […]
As Polk County continues to grow, long-time medical providers and more recent additions to the scene agree: Polk County is the hottest spot for health care in Central Florida. “Polk County is poised to be a great health home as we bring more physicians to the area,” said Holly Vida, director of Marketing and Community […]
The once-a-decade Census of every person living in the United States does more than just give us a glimpse at how much we’ve grown. It also has economic impacts that range from how much money local and state governments get from the federal government to services offered to local residents, data that governments and businesses […]
Farmer Jon’s Popcorn is heading south from its Rochester, New York, base, choosing Lakeland as the location for its new manufacturing facility. The company co-owned by Peter Causyn has leased warehouse space from The Ruthvens at 4000 N. Combee Road, choosing it over other locations in surrounding counties. This gives the gourmet popcorn company a […]
The coronavirus pandemic has reached into almost every sector in some way, including ones you might not think about, like garbage. From more residential and less commercial to much more yard waste and junk, Polk County’s two largest public works departments are finding new ways to handle the surge. “Everyone is home purging their stuff […]
With NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center predicting an above-average Atlantic hurricane season — 13 to 19 named storms, of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes — the agency’s Lakeland-based Hurricane Hunters are preparing for their busiest time of year. “We really do anticipate an active season, and that makes everyone nervous,” said Carl Newman, deputy […]
If developed as planned, the 3,000-acre Central Florida Innovation District (CFID) may provide $5.2 billion in economic impact and 32,000 jobs in the next 20 years, far exceeding the $2.4 billion and 20,600 jobs expected without such a district, according to a study by James Farrell, Ph.D., CFA, an associate professor of finance and economics […]
Four city managers and the county manager have learned a lot from the coronavirus pandemic and will use that knowledge moving forward. They will share, as they’ve been doing, having relied on strong communication networks to help them through this crisis. Lakeland City Manager Tony Delgado said Polk County managers are used to dealing with […]