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 […]
Sometimes, it’s not just about baseball. When you’ve spent 82 years with someone, you get to know them pretty well. And when the relationship revolves around trust and appreciation, outcomes can be impressive and powerful. Such is the case with the relationship between the city of Lakeland and the Detroit Tigers, who are ending their […]
Winter Haven, Florida – CenterState Bank and Peterson & Myers, P.A., exemplify the attributes George Harris exhibited during his tenure in Polk County. The two businesses won the Central Florida Development Council’s top awards at its Oct. 9 annual meeting at Nora Mayo Hall in Winter Haven. CenterState won in the Success in Large Business […]
Polk City is a growing community, home to about 2,200 residents bordering Lakeland and Auburndale in North Central Polk County. Residential construction is booming, which is why that industry is one of the top three in the city, along with utilities and arts and entertainment, according to DataUSA.com. Housing expansion mean extra money on the […]
Just as warehousing is a critical to Polk County’s economy, so are distribution centers, which are popping up for major operations. Distribution centers differ from warehouses, where, for the most part, companies store products. Distribution centers store products but also offer packaging, order fulfillment, distribution and other services. There are many reasons why Polk County […]
Publix Super Markets Inc. announced Thursday that it will expand its corporate headquarters off the Polk Parkway in Lakeland, adding 700 jobs by 2027. “Publix’s growth is made possible by the hard work of our associates and the loyalty of our customers,” said Publix President and CEO Todd Jones. “These additional jobs will help us […]
Nestled among 88 acres just east of U.S. 98 South in Lakeland, Southeastern University continues to grow in every way — students, faculty, buildings, even sports. And that excites its 15th president, Dr. Kent Ingle. “SEU is becoming a nationally recognized educational institution. We have been listed by The Chronicle of Higher Education as one […]
To say the City of Mulberry is at a crossroads would be wrong: Mulberry is the crossroad, and it’s embracing its position in Polk County and Central Florida. “Our location is ideal — the proximity to State Roads 60 and 37, and 60 going from one end of the state to the other,” said Mulberry […]
In Central Florida, when we think of tourism, we think of LEGOLAND Florida Resort, Disney World, Universal Studios and the like. But sports is a growing market, and Polk County is at the heart of it all, whether it’s baseball, basketball, soccer, water skiing or something new. Sports tourism had an economic impact of $138 […]
With nearly 10 million people within 100 miles of the Polk County/Central Florida region, and roughly 20 million people within 200 miles, there’s no wonder why Polk is known as the logistics hub and THE place to build warehouses and distribution centers. For 60 years, The Ruthvens have been at the forefront of warehousing, and […]