News

Lakeland Architecture Firm Lands on Fast 50 List

July 31, 2019 News

“It’s always exciting to be recognized, and I think it’s a recognition of the team effort,” said Managing Principal Tim Hoeft. “As our team continues to grow and build relationships with clients and partners on projects, that experience just continues to feed on itself — to take the next project to the next level.” Straughn […]

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Honoring the Leadership of Retiring County Manager

July 29, 2019 News

As County Manager Jim Freeman prepares to retire, he quietly reflects on his accomplishments — rather, his team’s accomplishments; the future of Polk County; and his own plans, post-retirement. He says other people say he will be remembered for guiding the county through the Great Recession of 2008. “It was challenging,” Freeman said. “It took […]

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Local Industry & Economic Development Leaders Call Paris Air Show a Success

July 29, 2019 News, Success Stories

Polk County international business development efforts considered a success at Paris Air Show. Aviation and economic development representatives who attended the Paris Air Show in June called the trip a success, giving Polk County a chance to “showcase our unique aviation footprint in the state of Florida,” according to Jake Polumbo, a retired Air Force […]

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Favorable Business Climate Fueling Growth in Polk County

July 26, 2019 News, Success Stories

At the heart of the I4 corridor, Polk County boosts new jobs and stronger industries powered by steadfast business climate. Business in Polk County has grown and diversified in the last decade. New jobs have been added in segments that once lagged. Now, some of those same segments are thriving in Polk County’s business climate. […]

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Students Work Towards Private Pilot’s License at Southeastern University

July 25, 2019 News, Success Stories, Talent Pipeline

Students from around the nation are flying high at Southeastern University this summer. For the first time, SEU is taking part in an Air Force Junior ROTC program that gives high school and college students a chance to earn their private pilot’s license in an eight-week program. Students will graduate on July 29th and receive […]

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Brother’s Illness Motivates Keiser University Nursing Student

July 23, 2019 News, Talent Pipeline

Heather Novis knew she wanted to become a nurse when she watched her aunt help her brother through treatment for Burkitt’s lymphoma, an uncommon but aggressive form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that affects children. “Seeing her help him made me want to help others,” said Novis, 22, who spent her middle and high school years at […]

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Lakeland Envisions the Future Growth of Its Downtown

July 19, 2019 News

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” […]

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Duke Energy Florida Exists to Serve its Customers

July 18, 2019 News, Success Stories

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 […]

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Polk State, Florida Poly Establish Seamless Pathway to Benefit Students

July 12, 2019 News, Talent Pipeline

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 […]

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Legoland Florida Resort Continues to Spur Growth in East Polk County

July 9, 2019 News

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 […]

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