As community leaders began tackling the urgent need for more and better coordinated behavioral and mental health concerns, the coronavirus pandemic has pushed this issue to the forefront even faster and further, it also prompted more people to provide input on the topic in a recent survey. “The number of people seeking new patient appointments […]
With renewed commitment to customers and enough energy to move all projects from idea to fruition, the City of Lake Wales is striking gold on many fronts. “We want to get the word out about the good work we are doing in Lakes Wales,” said James Slaton, an 18-year city employee who worked his way […]
In a year consumed by a pandemic, unrest, the presidential election and myriad other things that easily could have distracted the best of us, our county and city managers kept their collective eyes trained on the future, making progress when they could have been forgiven for just keeping the boat steady. Now, they are looking […]
Polk County’s business-friendly atmosphere, inviting communities, sunny days and quality of life continue to attract new residents, ranking Polk No. 1 in Florida’s net migration – people moving here from other states. Polk County ranked No. 8 in net migration in the country, drawing more than 17,000 people in a year. The county has grown […]
TECO has donated a total of $2 million to support customers affected by the pandemic. To help the community during this unprecedented year, Tampa Electric and TECO Peoples Gas are granting $1 million in bill credits to customers in need. A one-time $85 bill credit will appear on January bills for residential customers who have […]
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 […]