Polk County has seen fast growth in the last few years. In fact, Lakeland-Winter Haven ranked No. 4 on the U.S. Census’s Top 10 Metropolitan Areas in Percentage Growth list, with a 3.2% annual population increase from 2017 to 2018. According to the World Population Review, Polk County was home to more than 708,000 residents […]
Florida Polytechnic University’s dominance on the world autonomous vehicle stage continues to grow, a status that enhances all of Polk County. Dr. Rahul Razdan, senior director of special projects at Florida Poly and head of the university’s Advanced Mobility Institute (where AV technology is tested and validated), has been appointed to lead a new project […]
Polk County student finds career in Central Florida’s Creative Industry following studies at Polk State College and Southeastern University and service in the Marine Corps. Alan Langdale thought he had his life planned out after he graduated from Mulberry High School in 2008. He enrolled at Tallahassee Community College, where he expected to earn a […]
“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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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” […]