When Merlin Entertainments waves its magic wand, good things happen, and LEGOLAND Florida Resort in Winter Haven is a shining example of how one company can make a huge impact in Central Florida. Merlin Entertainments is the operator of LEGOLAND Florida Resort who brought the major attraction to Florida in 2011. “What LEGOLAND has done […]
Dr. Nathan Falk recites statistics easily, indicating he’s already done considerable research during his three weeks as the first program director for the Florida State University College of Medicine Family Medicine Residency Program at Winter Haven Hospital. For instance, did you know that more people ages 18 to 64 are insured in Polk County than […]
On a recent sunny Wednesday morning, visitors to Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL) were greeted by a KF Canadian jet sitting just inside the perimeter fence. It was a plane renting a “parking space” before heading to its new home. Lakeland Linder officials charged a small daily fee. Just one of many examples of airport leaders’ […]
Kyle Story exudes a certain easiness now that the U.S. Departments of Agriculture’s October 2018 forecast for the 2018-19 orange crop predicts a 76 percent increase in the number of boxes compared to the Hurricane Irma-ravaged 2017-18 crop. “I am optimistic about the healthy crop that I see in well-maintained citrus groves,” said Story, vice […]
Central Florida is one of the most important trade communities in the world, and it’s in a unique position to benefit from ongoing conversations on the topic, said Bill Lane, executive director of Trade for America. “Whether you’re on the right or left politically … on things that are really important to your community, you […]
Striking a balance between importing products not readily available in the United States and exporting products we make is critical, but the new push to impose tariffs is upsetting the tightrope walk. Tariffs are the topic at the Polk Goes Global IV: International Trade Symposium, which will be held from 7:30 a.m. to noon November […]
When a city turns 100, it’s time to celebrate, and Frostproof City Manager Lee Evett clearly is proud of the rockin’ party his city hosted on a summer weekend in 2018. From watermelon and pie-eating contests, bands, water events, a parade, and fireworks, residents clearly enjoyed a day full of fun. Missy Hadden, the library […]
Howard Drake thinks manufacturing is poised to see “explosive growth” in the near future, which is why an upcoming CFDC breakfast focused on the industry is important. The Central Florida Development Council’s Competitiveness & Advocacy Committee and the Polk County Manufacturing and Supply Chain Alliance are joining forces to offer those in the industry and […]
Solutions to problems facing our cities, states and national government are not created by sound bites, social media posts and character assassination, but by people who can engage in civil discourse and work together to move our country forward. That was the message Wednesday from Southeastern University President Kent Ingle as he announced SEU is […]
Kyle Story is a fourth-generation farmer and Polk County Farm Bureau member who knows adapting to changes in his industry, including protecting the environment, are critical to surviving and prospering. Now, for instance, The Story Companies mulches all of its trees when they no longer produce citrus. “Now, citrus is more like farming,” he told […]