News

Polk County is the heart of Florida distribution

October 6, 2018 News, Success Stories

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 […]

Continue Reading

Southeastern Hosts Nancy Duarte For Sessions On Storytelling In Business

September 28, 2018 News

Mastering the art of storytelling to enhance your business skills is the focus of an upcoming event being hosted by Southeastern University’s College of Arts & Media. Nationally quoted in print and on television, Nancy Duarte will offer workshops and lectures Oct. 16, 2018, at the Polk Museum of Art. The talk by the best-selling […]

Continue Reading

Publix Announces Headquarters Expansion Adding 700 Jobs

September 27, 2018 News, Success Stories

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 […]

Continue Reading

Investment Fuels Growth at Southeastern University

September 15, 2018 News, Success Stories

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 […]

Continue Reading

Mulberry Embraces Rapid and Planned Growth

September 13, 2018 News, Success Stories

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 […]

Continue Reading

Five Reasons Why Sports Tourism is Important to Polk County

September 12, 2018 News, Success Stories

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 […]

Continue Reading

Warehousing Still Going Strong in Polk County

September 11, 2018 News, Success Stories

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 […]

Continue Reading

Florida Poly Sees Growth, Excitement in Fifth Year

September 11, 2018 News, Success Stories

In five short years, Florida Polytechnic University, Florida’s 12th university has grown from a 170-acre field of green grass and palm trees to an international college with 1,424 students who are already making a difference in the world. “We accomplished so much in our first four years, from achieving regional accreditation to graduating our first […]

Continue Reading

2018 George Harris Jr. Economic Development Award Nominations

September 6, 2018 News

The George Harris, Jr. Economic Development awards recognize organizations with a positive impact on the economy through job growth or expansion activities. Awarded for excellence in the promotion of free enterprise, community service, economic stability and quality growth. Awards are presented in two categories: Success in Small Business – less than 100 employees Success in […]

Continue Reading

Meet the Employees of Tomorrow

September 4, 2018 News, Talent Pipeline

Connecting college students with careers in Polk is an important goal for the Central Florida Development Council and Polk Vision — and the main reason behind an upcoming career fair. “All of our schools are very different and we attract different employers, so I think having a countywide fair is the perfect way to expose […]

Continue Reading