Posts filed under 'Economic Development'
Posted: October 5, 2009: 1:16 pm
Marine Supply, The Boating Center moved it’s Sales Office to 1491 3rd Street S.W. (U. S. 17 location across from the former Cypress Lincoln Mercury Dealership). The new location offers a much larger area to display more customer consignment boats. Future plans are to open a tackle store at this location as well. Currently the site will be used to display new and preowned boats and engines.
| See other posts filed in: Commercial Developments, Economic Development, General Announcements, Uncategorized
Posted: August 7, 2009: 11:06 am
The University of South Florida Polytechnic’s Blue Sky business incubation program is now accepting applications for space in its two facilities — a business accelerator, Blue Sky East in Winter Haven, and an entry-level incubator, Blue Sky West in Lakeland. Winter Haven’s Blue Sky East will be located in the former Verizon building amid an already emerging technology hub. The Six Ten Corporation was instrumental in working with USF Poly on Blue Sky East.
“We want a diverse group of entrepreneurs with the potential to create a significant economic impact in central Florida,” says Marshall Goodman, VP and CEO of USF Polytechnic. “These facilities provide opportunities for a wide range of enterprises. Some will be raw start-ups, and some will be more advanced. Regardless of the stage, Blue Sky represents an opportunity to thrive.”
Applicants must be for-profit technology corporations, with proprietary technologies preferred. Applicants can be a start-up company, an existing small business in a growth phase, an existing business launching a new business project, or an international business looking for a soft-landing site.
The Blue Sky facilities are the first public business technology incubators in Polk County. They will focus on attracting and nurturing entrepreneurial businesses by creating a place where USF Poly faculty, staff and students can work with businesses to develop innovative technology. Incubated companies will benefit from the proximity to and resources of a national research university as well as the assets of economic development networks.
The application is available at here. Applicants must be for-profit technology corporations. Preference will be shown for proprietary technologies. Applicants can be start-ups, existing small businesses looking to grow, an existing business that is launching a new project, or an international business looking for site in the U.S. that plans to hire locally and pay local taxes.
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Downtown, Economic Development, Education, General Announcements, Technology
Posted: August 5, 2009: 1:43 pm
The Chamber hosted a City Commission Candidate Breakfast Forum this morning (August 5, 2009). The breakfast was organized by the Chamber’s Government and Legislative Affairs Committee. The candidates were asked a series of questions relevant to the business community including transportation priorities, economic development opportunities, public transit funding, city responsibility to the Chain of Lakes and their opinion of the Hometown Democracy amendment (requiring all future comprehensive plan amendments to be put forth in voter referendums) expected to be on the 2010 state ballot.
Candidates for Seat 4 (Mayor Yvonne Brooks and Jamie Beckett) both pointed to the economic development potential of the Winter Haven Municipal Airport along the US 92 corridor. Beckett noted his view that runway length would not support increased use by corporate jets. Beckett felt the city’s responsibility with regard to the Chain of Lakes required cooperation with the various agencies from the canal commission to the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Brooks pointed to the number of lakes preservation goals outlined in the “Our Future By Design” visioning document that the city has accomplished including the urban lakefront design guidelines. Their most divergent views were expressed regarding the Hometown Democracy amendment with Brooks favoring continuing the current regulatory process and Beckett supporting the amendment. (Ed. Note: While candidate Beckett originally stated that he felt comprehensive plan changes should be left to voters, he has since clarified his position and opposes the Hometown Democracy amendment. His clarification is noted in the first comment below. – BG 8/13/09)
Candidates for Seat 5 (Commissioner Mike Easterling, Steven Hunnicutt and Bob Jardine) were in general agreement on most issues. Easterling expressed his continued commitment to the community visioning plan and Hunnicutt and Jardine both agreed it was an important guide for decisions. Jardine noted his interest in representing the needs of sight and physically impaired including his work to secure audible crossing signals for key city intersections. All Seat 4 candidates favor retaining the current regulatory system for changes in comprehensive plans and opposed the Hometown Democracy amendment.
Candidates for Commission Seat 4:
Mayor Yvonne Brooks
Jamie Beckett
Candidates for Seat 5:
Commissioner Mike Easterling
Steven Hunnicutt
Bob Jardine
The Chamber collected candidate information including background, city strengths and challenges, revitalization, top priorities and more. A comparison of that information is available at this link.
The city election will take place Tuesday, September 8, 2009.
| See other posts filed in: Chain of Lakes, City of Winter Haven, Economic Development, Perspective, Political Scene, Transportation
Posted: July 30, 2009: 3:21 pm
The Florence Villa community boasts an elegant new senior apartment complex for those 55 years and older. Lakeside Terrace is located at 391 Avenue O, N.E. adjacent to Lake Maude. The 84 unit building features 42 one-bedroom and 42 two-bedroom apartments. Residents also enjoy a clubhouse with kitchen and entertainment bar (pictured at left), business center with high speed internet, 24-hour emergency maintenance service, large swimming pool and planned recreational and daily activities. And it’s a pet friendly complex, too!
The professional landscaping also features a majestic mature oak central to the pool area that was preserved in the design of the grounds.
The complex was built and will be managed by the Picerne Management Corporation. With 35,000 residences they are one of the largest developers and managers of rental properties in the nation. For more photographs of Lakeside Terrace visit this link.
Below left is a view of a standard kitchen (there is a wheelchair accessible option) and right is the living room area.
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Economic Development, Real Estate
Posted: June 25, 2009: 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.
| See other posts filed in: Economic Development, Education, General Announcements, Perspective
Posted: June 15, 2009: 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.
| See other posts filed in: Commercial Developments, Economic Development, General Announcements, Real Estate
Posted: June 11, 2009: 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.
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Downtown, Economic Development, Education, Employment Opportunity, Success Stories, Technology
Posted: June 1, 2009: 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.
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Commercial Renovations, Downtown, Economic Development, Uncategorized
Posted: May 14, 2009: 12:36 pm
The recent Sun n’ Fun Air Show generated additional traffic for many neighboring airports. Winter Haven was no exception with a variety of air craft circling the recently competed municipal air terminal. The City worked with the Central Florida Visitor and Conventions Bureau to provide the air visitors information on area attractions, restaurants and hospitality options.
Winter Haven joins Lakeland and Bartow in offering modern new facilities. More recently the impressive Citation X aircraft below paid a visit. The air terminal features Richard’s Fine Coffees and sandwches.
The new facility is conveniently located adjacent to US 92 for maximum exposure. The new footprint for the airport positions the City for development of an air-related business park along the US 92 frontage.
Among the groups recently visiting the air terminal were the Board of Directors of the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce and the second class of Leadership Polk, a county-wide leadership and learning program.
The City of Winter Haven is among the many municipalities in Polk County who are moving ahead with improvement projects such as the new air terminal, Fire Station #1 and Lake Maude Park providing jobs and improvements in a tough economy. Haines City is moving to complete the massive Lake Eva Park project, Polk City has new city administrative offices, Polk Community has opened the J.D. Alexander satellite campus in Lake Wales and Auburndale has partnered with the County and Central Florida Development Council in development of the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex just to name a few.
As the economy begins to improve, these infrastructure improvements will serve as further catalysts for growth.
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Economic Development, Perspective, Transportation
Posted: May 12, 2009: 3:54 pm
TransDevelopment Group and Kearney Construction, the design-build general contract team for the planned intermodal and automotive rail terminal facility in Winter Haven, will postpone their May 20 2009 job fair. The event was scheduled to provide information to the local labor pool and to identify qualified Polk County suppliers and subcontractors interested in work related to the construction of the rail terminal facility.
Immediate construction of the rail terminal facility was needed to accommodate the development of SunRail, Central Florida’s commuter rail system. The Florida Legislature, however, failed to approve SunRail. As a result, the intermodal and automotive rail terminal facility will now be developed on a more deliberate timeline consistent with business demand.
TransDevelopment and Kearney Construction will reschedule the job fair and announce the date and location of the event in the future.
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Economic Development, Employment Opportunity, General Announcements, Transportation
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