Rail has played a significant role in the history of Polk County, transporting phosphate and other goods. Residents are eagerly await new rail services for commuters. The future of rail in Polk County may be changing as SunRail, a commuter rail systems explores expansion into Polk and as Brightline. In April 2023, Brightline Orlando announced […]
As Polk County and Central Florida continue to grow thanks to domestic and foreign migration, more global companies are looking to move here, bringing the world to our doorstep. As we mark World Trade in May, it’s time to examine what foreign companies are already located in Polk County, and where future growth may come […]
With the 2023 Economic Development Week from May 8-12, the Central Florida Development Council (CFDC) has a chance to reflect on the state of economic development in Polk County and what lies ahead. The CFDC serves as Polk County’s economic development agency, working with its counterparts in our cities to attract new business to the […]
The Central Florida Aerospace Academy (CFAA) at Lakeland Linder International Airport has been so important to talent development that it’s being replicated in Winter Haven. Essentially an expansion of the CFAA that’s part of Kathleen High in Lakeland, the newest academy will be an option on the east side of the county for students interested […]
T. Michael Stavres has been successful in Lakeland and Winter Haven, but the latter is where he’s made his mark – and his home. Stavres was born outside Pittsburg but moved to Winter Haven when he was 8. Only for a few short stints did he live outside the city. He joined the City of […]
Ed Laderer and Greg Masters started Southern Homes in 1991 with a mission in mind: They wanted to provide quality homes at an affordable price. “After spending time working in the industry, they realized they could provide a range of products for all budgets, all backgrounds and all families. To this day, Southern Homes offers […]
A clean hydrogen plant will be built in Mulberry under a Memorandum of Understanding that was signed on Thursday, April 27, 2023, by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, South Korea-based LowCarbon Hydrogen Corp., Space Florida and Ocean Green. LowCarbon plans to break ground on their $100 million clean hydrogen facility in June 2023 to support the […]
To help increase the number of nurses and occupational therapy assistants with bachelor’s degrees in Polk County, Webber International University is building a new Health Sciences Center. August 2023 is the scheduled completion date of the first phase of the center. This is just in time for the start of a new school year. It […]
Pending approval, Southeastern University in Lakeland will launch a new medical sciences master’s degree in the fall 2023 to better prepare students for medical school – the only program of its type in Polk County. The Master of Science in Medical Sciences (MSMS) will “provide a solid foundation for students aiming to begin advanced medical […]
Polk County’s strategic location, access to labor and consumers, advanced technology and favorable business climate make it a prime place for logistics and supply chain operations, attracting companies like Amazon Air. “Polk County is a prime example of real estate’s often cited mantra, ‘Location, location, location,’ ” said Grisselle Centeno, the David P. and Constance […]