Posted by Bob Gernert on July 1, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Here’s a hot deal for a wet, refreshing time for up to four people … just print this page and take it to the park for the discount admissions …
Add a Comment | See other entries filed in: Crazy Things To Do, Cypress Gardens, General Announcements, Parks and Green Space, Tourism 
Posted by Bob Gernert on June 30, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Reiss Engineering, Inc. announces the opening of their Polk County, Florida office, located at 21 3rd Street NW, Winter Haven. The 1200 sf suite is owned and managed by 6/10 Corporation. The transaction was handled by 6/10 Commercial, Inc.
Founded in 1998, Reiss Engineering provides general civil and environmental engineering and consulting services to public and private sector entities throughout Florida and the United States. The firm’s expertise encompasses a wide range of areas including water, wastewater and reclaimed water projects, as well as stormwater and land development. Reiss engineers provide services associated with the planning, permitting, and final design of municipal and private utility systems and developments. www.reisseng.com.
“We are very excited to announce the opening of an office in the heart of Polk County,” comments Gary J. ReVoir II, P.E., Vice President of Reiss Engineering. “Reiss Engineering has had the privilege of working with Polk County and the local governments on our recent water supply plan. We feel that this location will not only bring us closer to our clients, but provide us with increased opportunities for community involvement.”
Add a Comment | See other entries filed in: Commercial Developments, Downtown, General Announcements
Posted by Bob Gernert on at 4:45 pm
The Florida Chamber of Commerce’s annual survey brings together the collective voices of thousands of employers for the legislative session and it’s your opportunity to speak to your elected officials in Tallahassee with one voice as a united business community. In the survey, you can provide input on topics including taxes, insurance, workforce issues, lawsuit abuse, healthcare, constitutional amendments, energy solutions and more. We also encourage you to comment about issues that are not yet mentioned in the survey.
Just click here and fire away!
This is a proven tool in the fight to improve Florida for employers and business owners. For example, thousands of you told us in last year’s survey that you wanted lower workers’ compensation insurance costs. You then rallied behind your agenda through a grassroots campaign to pass legislation that resulted in a $172 million savings for Florida employers’ insurance costs effective July 1. The Florida Chamber worked with your industry associations and local chambers of commerce to deliver this and many other business agenda results.
Add a Comment | See other entries filed in: Political Scene
Posted by Bob Gernert on June 25, 2009 at 9:02 am
GOAL:
A Polk County School Board Process for Selecting Contractors
that is “Fair, Equitable and Transparent”
A “white paper summary” of a June 15 Meeting between Polk County Chamber of Commerce representatives and Assistant Superintendent for Facilities/Operations, Fred Murphy.
Over the past 90 days a number of Polk County’s Chamber executives and their
volunteer leaders have been approached by local contractors who felt the process used for selecting contractors to manage major construction projects of the Polk County Public School System was flawed and unfair. There exists a strong feeling that dollars spent for Polk Schools should be spent with those businesses that are legitimately based in Polk County. There also exists a strong desire to ensure the process is free of favoritism.
Following discussions that initially took place between Lakeland, Bartow and Winter Haven Chamber executives, a decision was made to request a meeting with Polk Public Schools Administration. Immediately upon inquiry Superintendent Gail McKinzie offered to arrange such a meeting with Assistant Superintendent for Facilities/Operations, Fred Murphy. (Murphy was tapped to resolve contractor selection and favoritism issues in November 2008 following the initiation of an FBI investigation into alleged wrong doing by district staff.)
On Monday, June 15, Mr. Murphy met with representatives from the Bartow, Davenport, Haines City, Lakeland, Mulberry and Winter Haven Chambers of Commerce. The two-hour meeting was framed by a thorough review of where Polk Public Schools are in their efforts to create a Contractor Selection Process that is “fair, equitable and transparent.”
Mr. Murphy spoke for the majority of the two-hours allocated and displayed a sincere commitment to creating a selection process that may not always make every one happy but a process that will truly be “fair, equitable and transparent.” The phrase is repeated here again to underscore Murphy’s repetitive statement of commitment.
He provided detailed information regarding the policy which is currently in its final draft stages. More importantly Mr. Murphy addressed two important points:
a.) Within the new policy (under development), the mere offer of a gift by a contractor to a School Board representative will cost a contractor any future right to do business with the School Board. There has not been a “gift policy” in place and specifications are being drafted to prohibit gifts of more than $50 in value.
b.) The new selection process will include a “local recognition of proximity” policy that will provide a legally defensible edge for Polk County-based contractors.
Chamber representatives present felt that positive steps were being taken to develop a process for contractor selection that was indeed “fair, equitable and transparent.” Those Chambers present have since conferred and expressed confidence that Fred Murphy’s goals for the Contractor Selection Process will be a significant step forward and hold the potential to restore contractor confidence and respect.
The new policy is expected to be presented to the School Board for consideration by August. When the policy is finalized we will present the document in its entirety.
The commitment of all Chambers involved is to bring positive change to this contractor procurement process. Mr. Murphy displays a sincere grasp of the challenge and the commitment to make such positive change.
We encourage your comments on this important “buy local” issue.
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Posted by Bob Gernert on June 16, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Winter Haven-based cnp_studio has joined forces with California-based VOCE (pronounced voe-chey) Communications. Voce purchased the hard assets from Clark/Nikdel/Powell Design and Communications and hired the Web team including Nick Gernert, Sean O’Shaughnessy, Chris Scott, Mike Pretty and Pete Schiebel (the team will remain based downtown). (Clark/Nikdel/Powell continues to offer Web design and support focusing on their local clients.)
Voce and cnp_studio have been long-time business partners and worked on a variety of social media projects since 2006. The firm manages social media programs for a number of firms including Comcast, Disney, ebay, Fujitsu, Intel, Logitech, NetApp, PlayStation, VeriSign, Yahoo! and has teamed with cnp on most of those projects. cnp’s independent projects have included publishing platform work for the “Real Dan Lyons,” MIT Sloan and PlayStation Europe, user interface design work with Symantec and traditional Web site development and intranet work for Platinum Games and Prudential. The firm also specializes in customized blogs using the WordPress platform. And if you like bacon you’ll want to visit Bacolicio.us — used for practical jokes around the world — noted by such organizations as the New York Times and Huffington Post.
cnp_studio Director of Platform Services Nick Gernert notes, “This means good things because Voce has always challenged our team to do great things. Our ability to pursue new ideas, platforms, and technologies is unchanged. Our clients benefit from the expertise of Voce while Voce’s clients benefit from the platform developer working in direct contact with their strategists. Voce believes that the combination of their public relations and social media marketing teams with cnp’s Web development expertise will add value for their clients. The combined group will be known as “Voce Connect.”
Editors note: cnp_studio is one of many fine emerging technology firms growing in downtown Winter Haven. It also happens to involve my son, Nick, and a talented team. The Chamber is currently gathering information and will soon publish a special series of blog posts about our emerging technology hub and the unique reasons that downtown Winter Haven is positioned to help technology-oriented businesses grow and thrive. The recently announced USF Poly business accelerator will further accentuate our strategic technology attributes.
5 Comments | See other entries filed in: Downtown, Technology
Posted by Bob Gernert on June 15, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Got Milk? Velda Farms? You may have noticed a new two-story building coming out of the ground behind Andy’s Igloo. No, it’s not additional storage for ice cream … but close. The 15,000 sq. ft. building will house the Velda Farm’s Corporate offices currently located in Lakeland. Approximately 50 people will now be housed in the building that represents more than a $2 million investment.
About the Company…
Arthur Vining Davis, former Chairman of the Aluminum Co. of America, built the Velda plant in the 1940’s in Miami to process pineapples that he planned to raise nearby. However, when this proved to be unsuccessful, Mr. Davis started manufacturing ice cream around 1947; milk processing was added shortly afterward. This Miami operation was later sold to a dairy cooperative, which also had a plant in Winter Haven. Velda Farms was sold by the dairy cooperative to the Southland Corporation in 1962. In 1964, a separate operation in Tallahassee also known as Velda Farms and owned by the Coble family was purchased by the Southland Corporation.
Under Southland’s ownership, a major enlargement and modernization of the Miami plant was began in 1976. The Winter Haven plant was renovated and enlarged a few years later.
Throughout the ensuing years the company was owned by a variety of corporations. Other dairies were acquired and the product line expanded.
On December 22, 2001, Velda Farms became a part of the Southeast Region of National Dairy Holdings, LP, headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Its line of business is whole dairy products manufacturing fluid milk, ice cream/desserts, cheese and creamery butter. Annual sales are estimated at more than $200 million.
Contractor is Winter Haven-based Everett Whitehead and Son, Inc.
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Posted by Bob Gernert on June 11, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Winter Haven to be home to USF Polytechnic technology business accelerator.
In a memo distributed today, June 12, to the Mayor and City Commisioners, City of Winter Haven Community
Development Director David Dickey announced the following information:
In April 2009, the Polk County Commission, in conjunction with the Central Florida Development Council, earmarked $1 million in funding to help establish a high-tech business incubator to be located on the USF Polytechnic campus.
The incubator concept has gained momentum so quickly that the decision was made to establish two locations prior to the completion of the Polytechnic campus. An incubator will be established in Lakeland with a business accelerator to be located in downtown Winter Haven.
Benefits to new companies will include proximity to, and resources of, a national research university; access to operational infrastructure including office space, equipment and technology; faculty experts; technology consultants; and training programs.
The decision to locate this facility in downtown Winter Haven is result of a partnership between the 6/10 Corporation and the City. The 6/10 Corporation will provide rent-free space in the Verizon building located at 199 Avenue B, NW. This building houses the Inland Fiber & Data Technology Park which makes the accelerator a great fit. Subject to approval and funding availability, the City’s CRA would provide $10,000 annually to help offset operating costs.
It is anticipated that the facility will be operational by September 1, 2009 and will initially house from five to ten new companies. The proposed accelerator can be distinguished from a business incubator in that it will target more mature start-ups that still require a degree of support. It is hoped that the companies will grow into adjacent office space and maintain a long-term downtown Winter Haven presence.
This development will further advance the developing technology-based business core downtown. Congratulations to both Lakeland and Winter Haven. The County/CFDC/USF/Lakeland/Winter Haven/Six-Ten partnership is a very positive step in economic recovery. The Polytechnic influence will grow the high-skill / high-wage sector critical to the area’s long-term future.
2 Comments | See other entries filed in: City of Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Downtown, Economic Development, Education, Employment Opportunity, Success Stories, Technology
Posted by Bob Gernert on June 3, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Just in time for summer vacation, Splash Island Water Park at Cypress Gardens is open seven days a week for summer. Beat the heat and enjoy the thrills of water slides or simply float your cares away on the lazy river. In addition, half-price admission is offered for the water park after 3 p.m. everyday in June, July and August.
Splash Island Waterpark is open until 7 p.m. Sunday through Friday and will now be open Saturday’s until 10 p.m. featuring Splash Party Nights that include live entertainment.
Live entertainment this Saturday, June 6 is “Blowing Trees” peforming at the Paradise Wave Pool stage at 7 p.m . and 8 p.m.
3 Comments | See other entries filed in: Cypress Gardens, General Announcements, Tourism
Posted by Bob Gernert on June 1, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Restoration plans by Richard Mills have been approved for a $10,000 matching grant from the Downtown Winter Haven CRA to restore the facade of what was originally the “Hoffman Department Store” built in 1937. Seen below is the original building, the current facade and the proposed renovations.
1 Comment | See other entries filed in: City of Winter Haven, Commercial Renovations, Downtown, Economic Development, Uncategorized
Posted by Bob Gernert on at 3:02 pm
Killebrew, Inc. has been named Contractor of the Year by the Florida Chapter of the American Public Works Association. The company was nominated by Michael Crumpton who noted that “Killebrew, Inc. performed exceptionally on several fronts completing projects ahead of schedule and an average of 10% under budget.” He further noted, “the company produces work of outstanding quality and is available for emergency needs 24/7.
Company CEO, Sam Killebrew said of the award, “It is our staff that makes our business great. You are only as good as the people you have working for you and this award is for them.” The Killebrew team is pictured below.
The company is a one-stop design/permit/build contractor handling everything from pipe lines to pump stations and pipe bursting projects.
15 Comments | See other entries filed in: Commercial Developments, General Announcements, Success Stories
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