Posts filed under 'Commercial Developments'
Posted: August 30, 2010: 8:46 am
BARTOW, Fla. (August 27, 2010) – The Central Florida Development Council is encouraging all small and minority-owned business in Polk County interested in working with the Florida High Speed Rail project to attend a meeting hosted by the Florida Rail Enterprise division of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) on Wednesday, September 1, 2010 from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm at The Lakeland Center, 701 West Lime Street in Lakeland.
The purpose of this meeting is to provide small and minority-owned businesses an opportunity to learn about the FDOT’s business enterprise goals and certifications required for working on the $1.25 billion (first phase) rail project which will connect Tampa to Orlando with a stop on Interstate 4 in Polk County.
“The FDOT meeting on September 1 is an excellent opportunity for Polk County businesses to learn how they may participate in this major capital project,” said the CFDC’s Executive Director Tom Patton. “There are literally thousands of jobs and millions of dollars at stake during the planning, engineering and construction phases of the High Speed Rail project. Polk County companies need to be at the table to take advantage of this huge opportunity.”
Patton said any potential contractor, vendor or supplier with an interest in the rail project, regardless of size, should attend the afternoon session at The Lakeland Center.
A meeting to inform the general public about the status of the High Speed Rail will follow the small business meeting at 6:30 pm.
| See other posts filed in: Commercial Developments, Transportation, Uncategorized
Posted: August 21, 2010: 1:28 pm
Community National Bank At Bartow, Bartow, Florida, and Independent National Bank, Ocala, Florida, were closed Friday by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which then appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver for the two banks. To protect depositors, the FDIC entered into purchase and assumption agreements with CenterState Bank of Florida, National Association, Winter Haven, Florida, to assume all the deposits and essentially all the assets of the two failed banks, which were not affiliated with one another.
Collectively, the failed banks operated five branches, which will reopen as branches of CenterState Bank of Florida, N.A. under their normal business hours, including those offices with Saturday hours. Community National Bank At Bartow has one branch, and Independent National Bank has four branches. Depositors will automatically become depositors of CenterState Bank of Florida, N.A. Deposits will continue to be insured by the FDIC, so there is no need for customers to change their banking relationship to retain their deposit insurance coverage.
Customers of the two failed banks should continue to use their former branches until they receive notice from CenterState Bank of Florida, N.A. that it has completed systems changes to allow other CenterState Bank of Florida, N.A. branches to process their accounts as well. Over the weekend, depositors can access their money by writing checks or using ATM or debit cards. Checks drawn on the bank will continue to be processed. Loan customers should continue to make their payments as usual.
As of June 30, 2010, Community National Bank At Bartow had total assets of $67.9 million and total deposits of $63.7 million; and Independent National Bank had total assets of $156.2 million and total deposits of $141.9 million. CenterState Bank of Florida, N.A. did not pay the FDIC a premium for the deposits of the two failed banks.
Customers who have questions about today’s transactions can call the FDIC toll free: for Community National Bank At Bartow customers, 1-800-450-5668; and for Independent National Bank customers, 1-800-913-3058. The phone numbers will be operational on today from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EDT; on Sunday from noon until 6:00 p.m. EDT; and thereafter from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EDT.
| See other posts filed in: Commercial Developments, Financial Industry
Posted: July 13, 2010: 11:59 am
The Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce will conduct a “LEGOLAND® Florida Host City Forum” for our members on Tuesday, July 20 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Chamber’s Coleman Auditorium. We have seating for 60. City, County and Polk Tourism representatives will participate.
Topics for discussion will include:
- How can Winter Haven become the best LEGOLAND® host city in the world.
- How do we best prepare to serve families with children 2 to 12 years old.
- How do we preserve and enhance our entryways and prevent “visual chaos.”
- How do we enhance our ability to make the Chain of Lakes a part of the visitor experience.
- How we can be an effective marketing partner of the Central Florida visiting experience.
Participation is limited to two persons per member organization to ensure the diversity of the forum input. Our tourism-related (hotels, restaurants, attractions) industries are encouraged to participate.
RSVP is required to attend.
If you have questions or issues you feel should be discussed, please email them to chamber1@winterhavenfl.com.
| See other posts filed in: Chamber Events, City of Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Economic Development, LEGOLAND® Florida, Tourism
Posted: May 6, 2010: 10:13 am
Nelson Kirkland, former publisher of the News Chief in Winter Haven, has announced the launch of Central Florida Media Group. The new company will focus on niche community publishing throughout the region.
The new company’s first publication will be Polk Ag News and will launch in the summer of 2010. Agriculture has a significant impact on local communities and our overall economy. The Central Florida Economic Development Council’s Study of Regional Impact identified agriculture and agri-technology as one of the key sectors in our region with the most long term advantages to the economic well-being and future of the county. A variety of industries are tied to local agriculture, including agri-education, flavors and essence manufacturing, fruit packing, phosphate mining and processing facilities.
According to Kirkland, “Polk Ag News and www.polkagnews.com will provide up-to-date news, information and community connections that farmers, ranchers and Polk residents care about including political news from Bartow, Tallahassee and beyond. “We’ll also focus on the youth in local FFA and 4H programs.”
Central Florida Media Group (CFMG) plans to publish Polk Ag News monthly in print and to develop a robust internet site featuring photos and video. Readers can expect contributions from The Polk County Farm Bureau, Florida Citrus Mutual, Florida Citrus Commission, Florida Cattlemen’s Association and other organizations and agencies focused on agriculture.
Company Gets Nod from USF Poly Accelerator
CFMG announced its selection by USF Polytechnic’s business accelerator, Blue Sky East, which uses technology and research to support companies building new products and services.
Blue Sky is Polk’s first university-based incubator/accelerator program and is engaged in a competitive application process to select the right mix of companies for its inaugural year. The incubator provides mentoring, network opportunities, access to academic and business expertise as well as technology support for selected companies.
Kirkland added, “We’re thrilled to be working with Blue Sky. A lot goes into developing new products and services and the atmosphere of collaboration at a business accelerator makes the process easier and more successful.”
“We’re going to be aggressive in distribution,” said Kirkland. “We’ll reach more than 5,000 greenbelt property owners located in Polk County and have more than 550 other distribution locations. We expect to circulate in excess of 25,000 copies each month in addition to our web presence.”
For additional information on Central Florida Media Group and Polk Ag News, contact Kirkland or visit www.centralfloridamediagroup.com.
In February Kirkland left the New York Times Company after a 24-year career most recently serving as publisher of the News Chief newspaper in Winter Haven.
“Community publishing is what I love to do,” said Kirkland. “I’m excited to put my experience to work for niche audiences and companies in Central Florida.”
| See other posts filed in: Commercial Developments, General Announcements, News Media
Posted: April 12, 2010: 4:51 pm
City of Winter Haven and Winter Haven Chamber representatives visited Carlsbad and Legoland California April 8 and 9. The group met with Carlsbad Chamber and City officials on Thursday and enjoyed a five-hour Legoland visit on Friday. Since many local folks aren’t quite sure what to expect … here are a few observations:
Expect a park designed to entertain children two to twelve years old and involve their parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles in that experience.
Expect lush landscaping with photographic sight lines in the best traditions of Dick and Julie Pope.
Expect a gourmet dining experience – no exaggeration here. Traditional burgers and hot dogs are available but add to that such items as gourmet wood fired pizzas, Asian chicken stir fry, spicy shrimp linguini, Carne Asada steak nachos, Cajun salmon, spinach and pear salad and much, much more. You’ll also find child “right-sized” buffet lines.
Expect to become addicted to Granny’s Apple Fries (a Legoland original!) Warm Granny Smith apple fries are dusted with cinnamon and sugar and served with a vanilla cream dipping sauce. (Pictured left)
Expect bright primary colors and millions upon millions of Lego bricks used in sculptures and creations.
Expect a Miniland USA so complete and complex with examples such as the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, The U. S. Capitol, Washington Monument and New York skyline. Our Miniland will have its own unique mix of Lego brick creations, but these were part of just the Miniland USA area of the park, and it alone could take more than a day to explore and appreciate its intricate detail. (Below)
Expect rides that have parents and children participating together. Rides that move on their own – but move faster if you peddle. Rides that involve pulleys that the occupant pulls for elevations. Rides such as the Junior Driving School where kids can get their Legoland Driving License. Expect queue lines for rides that surround a Lego brick play area for kids to keep them occupied while Mom and Dad weave around them.
Expect a dedicated management team laser-focused on their target audience … those two- to twelve-year-old guests that will allow us to particpate with them. You’ll find friendly, engaged employees and a spotless park as well.
Expect a good corporate citizen that works closely with the community and gives back. Legoland is particularly supportive of education.
Expect to say (as we did) “Wow, how perfect that they chose Winter Haven for their Florida Park!”
The City of Winter Haven and the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce wish to thank The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, City of Carlsbad and Legoland California for their extraordinary hospitality. Special thanks to Peter Ronchetti, General Manager and Brian Shaw, Director of Finance for their personal tour of the Legoland California facility.
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Cypress Gardens, Economic Development, Merlin Entertainments, Perspective, Success Stories, Tourism
Posted: April 2, 2010: 10:11 am
Other than reporting that Cypress Gardens is in Winter Park (!?) the March/April Issue of Tampa’s Maddux Report contains a Polk County Corporate Report that touts projects far and wide. In the Winter Haven area, mention was made of the CSX Intermodal Rail Terminal, LEGOLAND Florida, The East Polk Committee of 100, Winter Haven’s high tech downtown “Inland Fiber and Data Park” as well as the USF Polytechnic Business Accelerator located in 610 Plaza. The article goes on to note Winter Haven Hospital’s $40 million expansion and Polk State College’s inaugural bachelor’s degree program with 169 students enrolled. With other great projects noted throughout Polk you can’t help but feel there’s a lot going on … just not in Winter Park! Don’t let the cover fool you … “The End?” pertains to the future of Florida’s film industry.
You can read for yourself here beginning on Page 24.
It provides a much more comprehensive look than Florida Trend’s April Economic Yearbook.
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, City of Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Cypress Gardens, Economic Development, Employment Opportunity, Health Care, High Speed Rail, Merlin Entertainments, Real Estate, Tourism, Transportation
Posted: March 12, 2010: 5:02 pm
Artist concept looking SE from interection of Ave. A and Third St. NW
Winter Haven City Commissioners met today (Friday, March 12) in a Quarterly Planning Workshop designed to discuss potential new projects and review the status of previous priorities.
One primary area of interest involved a proposed downtown parking garage that would be situated on the block where the Ritz Theatre is located. The garage would essentially wrap around the theatre. Conceptual plans call for first floor retail space for urban connectivity and several floors of parking spaces including a top deck. Total number of spaces would number slightly more that 5oo.
Commissioner Jamie Beckett pointed to the new “Business Continuity Center” located in the 610 Plaza building (formerly Verizon) that can accommodate overnight up to 250 workers from a business that has suffered an interruption due to catastrophic circumstances anywhere. Beckett said his number one question from downtown businesses dealt with parking and he added, “Where will we park those 250 extra workers.” (Also, a developing downtown technology sector now employs approximately 230 people and is projected to employ 500 by 2012.)
City Manager Dale Smith noted that parking garages are never inexpensive but the current economic climate should produce a cost effective climate for building.
The commissioners instructed staff to develop definite plans and recommendations on how to proceed.
The planning workshop lasted three-hours and dealt with a variety of topics. The Commission is also interested in evaluating the need for updating the Community’s visioning document, “Our Future By Design.”
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Downtown, Real Estate, Technology
Posted: February 24, 2010: 8:22 pm
POLK COUNTY, FL (Feb. 24, 2010) – The excitement is building since the announcement of LEGOLAND® Florida in January, and now future guests and job seekers can follow the progress of the family theme park at www.LEGOLANDFloridaResort.com. The website includes a press page with photos and video of LEGOLAND® California, a link to all available job opportunities with Merlin Entertainments and a link to LEGOLAND® California Resort.
Due to the strong interest from contractors, a separate email has been set up for those wishing to introduce their company and offer their services to Merlin Entertainments. All those inquiries should be addressed to LLFContractors@LEGOLAND.com.
LEGOLAND Florida opens at the end of 2011 and will be the biggest LEGOLAND Park to ever open offering a unique mix of more than 50 rides, shows and attractions, including spectacular LEGO® models. The Florida development will be Merlin Entertainment’s second LEGOLAND Park in North America and will play an important role in the group’s continued growth in the U.S. Providing a full-day, year round, theme park experience geared towards families with children between the ages of two and 12, LEGOLAND Florida will mirror the successful concept of the four existing LEGOLAND Parks in Denmark, Germany, UK and California. However, as with the other four, it will also have its own unique “twist” reflecting its stunning location and adding a Florida flavor.
| See other posts filed in: Commercial Developments, Economic Development, Merlin Entertainments, Tourism
Posted: February 16, 2010: 12:16 pm
SITE IS ADJACENT TO USF POLYTECHNIC CAMPUS
As Polk County’s chambers of commerce, governmental units and planning organizations focused increasing attention on the regional implications of the recently announced Tampa-Polk-Orlando High Speed Rail plan, a major landowner on Florida’s High Tech Corridor announced major plans for one of the leading sites proposed for Polk County’s HSR station.
The site, at the eastern intersection of I-4 and the Polk Parkway, is adjacent to the new USF Polytechnic campus and minutes from the Polk Commerce Centre and the county’s new Lake Myrtle Sports Complex, is located within the Williams Development of Regional Impact (DRI). More importantly, according to USF Polytechnic CEO Marshall Goodman, “This site is central to all of Polk County. It’s the most accessible location being considered.”
Through it’s local spokesman, Charles Gray, of Gray Robinson PA, Attorneys, the Williams Acquisition Holding Company, Inc., owner of the DRI, plans to develop the site as the USF Poly campus opens its doors for 5,000 students in 2012 on a Calatrava-designed campus expected to ultimately host 16,000 students. The DRI project is planned to include 4,300 residential units, 1.3 million square feet of commercial space, a research/development park with 2.9 million square feet of space, 350 hotel rooms and a village center, similar to the successful Lakeside Village development on Lakeland’s southwest side, 240,000 square feet of retail space, 200,000 square feet of office space, 400 residential units and a 100-room hotel.
The Williams group is currently in negotiations with P3 DevCo for development of the property surrounding the proposed future High Speed Rail station site. Williams also previously negotiated with several national community developers for the development of the entire Williams DRI. Negotiations, however, were postponed pending completion of the construction of the Polk Parkway interchange, the East/West road and Phase I of the USF Polytechnic campus.
Williams sees 2012 as a pivotal year for the site and the region, Gray said. That year will see the completion of the Florida Turnpike Enterprise’s massive Pace Road interchange project on the Polk Parkway and completion of the 5.8 mile 4-lane highway (the East/West road) connecting the Pace Road interchange on the east and State Road 33 on the west. The County has completed construction of the 4-lane Pace Road from Berkley Road to the interchange.
This regional roadway will serve the University, Polk County and the county’s 17 municipalities. With the location of the High Speed Rail station at a site in the center of Polk County’s segment of I-4, the new transportation mode will be positioned to serve the USF Poly campus, the Williams DRI, the Polk Commerce Centre DRI, the Lake Myrtle Complex, Fantasy of Flight, and Merlin Entertainment’s recently announced LegoLand theme park in Winter Haven, as well as the major population hubs in Lakeland.
The terms of any joint venture or potential sale of any portion of the Williams property for development will not be completed until the High Speed Rail station location is determined. According to Gray, if the station is located on the Williams property, Williams is prepared to make available a 20-acre site for the station.
You can view a Williams Co./USF Polytechnic Site Map Here
| See other posts filed in: Commercial Developments, Economic Development, General Announcements, High Speed Rail, Transportation
Posted: January 21, 2010: 1:31 pm
It’s official. Representatives from Merlin Entertainments confirmed this morning that their company will construct their second U.S. Legoland Park on the historic Cypress Gardens property. (The park will be the largest Legoland so far.)
In a page torn directly from the promotions book of Dick Pope, founder of Cypress Gardens, Merlin Entertainments officials presented a news conference that involved a Florida panther, large orange and Polk County logo constructed completely of Lego blocks. If that wasn’t enough, the grand finale featured 100,000 Lego blocks cascading from a front end loader to the screams of delight from young guests from the Florida Baptist Children’s Home.
Facts at a glance:
Projected re-opening: Late 2011
Employment: Estimated 1000 jobs
Highlights: Rides, displays, interactive lego building for the whole family. And Merlin CEO Nick Varney (left) assured everyone present the the Cypress Gardens botanical gardens are in very safe hands with his company. They are part of what makes this location so special.”
Varney told of his first visit to Cypress Gardens in October of 2008 when he “absolutely fell in love with the park.”
The park will see 40 million lego blocks used in its construction.
Varney declined to specify the exact amount of the company’s initial investment rumored to exceed $150 million.
On hand for the festivities, Florida Governor Charlie Crist accepts a Lego replica of a Florida Panther from Merlin CEO Nick Varney
State Senator J. D. Alexander, Nick Varney and Winter Haven Mayor Jeff Potter
More than 400 billion Lego blocks have been manufactured in the company’s history. Varney described Florida as the world’s number 1 tourism destination and noted his park will fare well as it is positioned 180 degrees apart from a traditional theme park. He noted, “Most parks put you on something (like a ride) and do something to you. We set ourselves apart by inviting the guest to join in interactive activities such as race car building where parents compete against their children.” He admits the 23 month build out is ambitious but he feels very manageable. Mr. Varney also noted that of all the locations worldwide that his company has worked with government officials, their Florida and Polk County experience has been among the best. He also thanked the local businesses who have posted “Welcome Legoland Florida” on their reader boards.
Welcome to Winter Haven Mr. Varney and Merlin Entertainments. Mr. Pope wouldn’t have it any other way.
Post Update 1-22-10: In interviews after the news conference Nick Varney confirmed plans to reinstate the famed Cypress Gardens ski show “with a Lego twist.” He also noted that long range plans call for the property to become a Legoland Resort and including at least one hotel.
Note to Contractors: If your company is interested in being considered during the construction of Legoland Florida, the contact name is Ian Sarjeant, senior project manager. He can be reached at ian.sarjeant@legoland.com or 760-931-9159. He is compiling a list of prospective contractors, working on how the company is going to handle bids, etc. in preparation for work to begin.
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Cypress Gardens, Economic Development, Employment Opportunity, Merlin Entertainments, Real Estate, Tourism
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