Posts filed under 'Economic Development'
Posted: April 4, 2008: 8:35 am
Kevin Ward’s investments in production machinery and design software have allowed him to position his Winter Haven custom cabinetry company, A Ward Design for success in the high-end residential market. It has also landed him on the cover of Woodshop News, a national publication for professional woodworkers. The company’s growth and success are detailed in a feature article.
Kevin Ward (pictured at left on the magazine’s cover) hails from a family with a long history of construction. His father Ray was a builder here in Winter Haven until his retirement. He and his brother Roger then formed Ward Bros. Construction. His brother later moved to North Carolina and Kevin eventually founded A Ward Design.
About 60 percent of A Ward Design work is done in western North Carolina mainly in the town of Cashiers. Brother Roger is a general contractor there.
With Kevin’s long history in the Winter Haven area his business has had solid growth and the company completes about 20 large jobs a year in Florida from Polk County South to Palm Beach. A Ward Design grossed close to $1 million in 2007 building bathroom vanities, kitchens and woodwork for new homes.
Several examples of the company’s work appear below. Congratulations on bringing national exposure to Winter Haven.
| See other posts filed in: Commercial Developments, Economic Development, Success Stories
Posted: April 2, 2008: 12:33 pm
Phoenix Industries, LLC, an Atlanticblue Company based in Winter Haven is expanding into a facility in North Miami/Dade County.
The Phoenix presence in South Florida is inside a 200,000 square foot, multi-temperature campus owned and operated by Southeast Frozen Foods, and is located in North Miami.
“This location is strategically situated less than one mile from Interstate 95,” says John Fleming, Transportation Manager for Phoenix Industries. “It’s highly accessible to Ports Miami and Everglades.”
Space will be temperature controlled and Phoenix trucks will conduct pick up and delivery services for customers whose products pass through Miami via ship (container), truck and air. Phoenix’s terminal manager is James Nesbitt, a 37-year veteran of the supply chain industry.
“There will be daily service to Phoenix’s Miami customers, as well as next-day delivery service from Miami to all points in peninsular Florida,” says Phoenix Industries General Manager Bruce Bachman. “Phoenix will be providing cross-dock services, container loading and unloading, LTL distribution, truckload consolidation, and pool distribution for national and international customers.”
Phoenix Industries’ new South Florida operation is located within an AIB-certified “Superior” facility and will integrate directly with Phoenix’s 300,000 square feet of multi-temperature central Florida warehouses and Florida distribution system in Winter Haven.
| See other posts filed in: Commercial Developments, Economic Development
Posted: April 1, 2008: 10:03 am
The Tampa Bay Business Journal is conducting an online poll regarding Bay area opinions on the CSX project. While not scientific it’s results will be reported in some fashion. It is important that the East Polk business community weigh in on this important economic development opportunity. You can read the Journal’s brief overview and vote/comment here:
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, Economic Development, News Media, Perspective, Transportation
Posted: March 28, 2008: 11:02 am
The Chamber has learned that Shaner SPE Associates LP has site plans prepared to build a four story 104-room Marriott Courtyard Hotel on three acres of land fronting Cypress Gardens Boulevard across from the new Towne Center at Cypress Gardens.
Shaner Hotels is one of the foremost owner-operator companies in the hospitality industry. The current portfolio is made up of 20+ properties in 15 states and total assets that exceed $400 million. New properties are constantly evaluated as the division continues a conservative yet opportunistic approach to growth. Shaner plans to build 20 new Marriott properties over the next three years.
No start date has been announced. The hotel’s vicinity location appears below. Projected opening: Spring 2010.
| See other posts filed in: Commercial Developments, Cypress Gardens, Economic Development, Real Estate, Tourism
Posted: March 13, 2008: 7:12 am
According to the Orlando Sentinel, Central Florida’s Commuter Rail Project and ultimately the CSX Rail Terminal planned for Winter Haven are stalled in Tallahassee, “The biggest reason: opposition from Lakeland.” According to reporter Aaron Deslatte “At the center of the fight is Sen. Paula Dockery, a Lakeland Republican whose husband was the driving force behind the now-repealed constitutional amendment to build high speed rail between Tampa and Orlando.” A plan, we might add, that included a stop in Lakeland but nowhere else between Tampa and Orlando.
The Sentinel report goes on to say “Dockery wants the state to look at other ways to eventually bring commuter rail to her district and to the Tampa Bay area. But she also wants CSX to abandon its plans to move its switchyard — now in Taft, in south Orange County — to land it owns in Winter Haven.” (Surely Senator Dockery knows the proposed facility is no “switchyard.” An intermodal terminal bears no resemblance to the rail yard of yesterday. If she has not visited an operating Integrated Logistics Center (ILC), we invite the Senator to travel to Alliance with us as we take area leaders on a fact-finding mission following the current legislative session.)
This entire ugly and confusing episode is made even quirkier by the fact that last Friday in Orlando, Lakeland Mayor Buddy Fletcher told assembled leaders from myregion.org, the Tampa Bay Partnership, State DOT Officials, CSX and Central Florida Commuter Rail that “Lakeland supported the commuter rail plan and wasn’t opposed to the the Winter Haven rail terminal.” For sure the city wants DOT to study the feasibility of alternative routes or a Lakeland bypass, but if Mayor Fletcher supports the terminal why does Dockery want the plans “abandoned?”
Representatives from Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Osceola counties as well as the City of Orlando voted unanimously to fund 25 percent of the costs of establishing commuter rail on 61 miles of former CSX track. State DOT officials noted that this phase of bringing commuter rail to Central Florida would be the key to adding later segments such as those sought by Lakeland as well as Winter Haven and other East Polk cities. The cross section of Central Florida leaders were also told repeatedly that if we jeopardize the Federal funding currently in place, Florida would not see federal money for commuter rail again in our lifetime.
Let’s review, while Polk County is faring better than most, nationally the economy is in a downward trend — possibly recession, residential real estate is in a major slump and both the News Chief and Ledger report the state economy may not rebound until 2010. In light of this, Senator Dockery dismisses the potential long term boost of 2,000 new jobs, billions in investment and the potential Fortune 500 companies it could bring to our market.
It’s time for a wake up call!
Lakeland, a town that the railroads helped to build, feels it will be “devastated” by four additional freight trains per day. For the sake of discussion, let’s say the 16 trains a day that currently travel through the city require 10 minutes each to pass through town. That comes to 160 minutes in a 24 hour day or an average of 6.6 minutes per hour. If the terminal adds four more trains per day that would be 200 minutes per day (20 trains x 10 minutes) or 8.3 minutes per hour on average … hardly a major imposition.
There must be some correlation as well between four freight trains as compared to the traffic generated by Lakeland’s current 26 million square feet of warehouse industrial space (soon to be 31 million). When you consider the existing traffic generated by the Lakeland space, the five million square feet of warehouse and industrial business park planned for south Winter Haven seems manageable and will evolve over a five to ten year period — time to plan and implement infrastructure improvements as it grows.
We all need to remember that our economies are inter-dependent. We all have occasion to do business in other cities within Polk. Jobs in one sector of the county can benefit many various cities. It is time we work together for the greater good.
One need only make a visit to Alliance, Texas to see what planning and determination can create … a model economic engine with new housing developments underway within a half mile. More than 60 Fortune 500 corporate citizens and 150-plus new companies in 16 years.
Senator Dockery wants these plans abandoned for Polk County. It’s time we let her and our other delegation members know that there are economic interests on the east side of Polk County as well.
Your business, your employment opportunities, our cities, schools and county stand to benefit immensely from the construction of this project. We believe we have the expertise and vision to make it a model facility and business park.
Don’t let those with personal agendas block this opportunity. Send a note to our elected leaders today … here are their email addresses:
US Representative, Adam Putnam, www.adamputnam.house.gov (then click on the first link in left column “Contact Adam”
Alexander, JD, (R) alexander.jd.web@flsenate.gov
Dockery, Paula, (R) dockery.paula.S15@flsenate.gov
Bowen, Marsha “Marty” (R) marty.bowen@myfloridahouse.gov
Ross, Dennis (R) dennis.ross@myfloridahouse.gov
Troutman, Baxter (R) baxter.troutman@myfloridahouse.gov
Attkisson, Frank (R) frank.attkisson@myfloridahouse.gov
You can read the entire Orlando Sentinel story here.
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Economic Development, Perspective, Political Scene, Transportation
Posted: February 26, 2008: 2:02 pm
We are pleased to announce the return of a fine dining establishment as Arabella’s has opened in the historic Times Square building. Seven months of renovations have returned long-hidden architectural features most notably the arches that graced the building when it was known as the Snell National Bank. Diners will find exposed brick walls framing the elegant decor. The restaurant also has a private dining area (shown below) with private entrance.
Arabella’s and its adjoining Avenue Bar is now open to the public. The restaurant features Mediterranean cuisine including both French and Italian fare. For now the restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday from 5 - 9:30 p..m. It is contemplated that at some point, plans call to open for lunch as well. (Note: The restaurant opened for lunch beginning March 20, 2008) The restaurant is owned by Brian Rich and Franco Basalone.
Reservations are not required but suggested. 293-1797. Welcome them back!
| See other posts filed in: Commercial Developments, Dining, Downtown, Economic Development, General Announcements
Posted: February 22, 2008: 3:01 pm
Construction is underway on a new Kohl’s Department Store located on US 27 south of the intersection with Cypress Gardens Boulevard. The retailer will be located between Home Depot and the present Shoppes on the Ridge. The store plans a December 2008 opening.
| See other posts filed in: Commercial Developments, Economic Development, General Announcements, Real Estate
Posted: February 13, 2008: 11:21 am
Holiday Inn Lobby
The ribbon has been cut and it’s official, the new six-story Holiday Inn has opened on Cypress Gardens Boulevard. The hotel features an expansive lobby, impressive Board Room available to rent, lounge area and restaurant open for breakfast and dinner.
Shown above is the fully equipped Board Room and room with King bed
The hotel offers a variety of accommodations from a standard room to suites. Guest rooms feature a 32″ flat panel television. The lobby and restaurant areas offer wireless internet access. A cascading waterfall is the lobby focal point. The Holiday Inn will host the Chamber’s April 24th Networking Showcase. The 112 room facility is owned by Lakeville Partners, LLC.
| See other posts filed in: Commercial Developments, Economic Development, General Announcements, Real Estate
Posted: February 8, 2008: 3:43 pm
Skyrise Development Corporation has posted to their Web site two projects the company is planning on US 17 North:
Winter Haven 166 is described in a pre-development prospectus as a 166 acre commercial/retail (mall) located at US US 92 and US 17.
Winter Haven Shops is the second concept described as 40,000 square feet of retail space just north of Brigham Road (near the Honda Dealership). It, too, is in the pre-development pre-leasing stage.
Skyrise describes itself as a national owner, developer and manager of commercial real estate properties. These include corporate headquarters, landmark properties, urban business parks and more. You can view the Winter Haven postings here.
At this point both projects appear to be in the conceptual stage. No permitting has begun for either development.
Tell us what shops and other retail you would like to see on Winter Haven’s north side.
| See other posts filed in: Commercial Developments, Economic Development, Real Estate
Posted: February 6, 2008: 2:14 pm
The Winter Haven City Commission will consider purchase of downtown’s Hill Building at their February 11 Commission meeting. The $1.2 million purchase would further downtown redevelopment within the downtown Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) area. Main Street Winter Haven recently received conceptual designs for the South Central Park area as well as surrounding the Andy Thornal Store. The plans outline significant beautification options as well as future retail and parking. The Hill Building property is an integral part of this area.
The Hill Building was originally constructed as the Broadway Arcade in the mid-1920s by W.B. Craig, a prominent Haven builder. It later served as offices for Tampa Electric Company and was later sold to the Hill family and renamed. The building architecture was altered significantly during the time it housed Tampa Electric and for that reason does not meet historic designation guidelines. The building is shown above as it looks today and below as it looked when completed.
| See other posts filed in: Downtown, Economic Development, Real Estate
Next Posts
Previous Posts
The Official Website of the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce
