Posts filed under 'Perspective'
Posted: September 18, 2007: 8:19 am
The keynote speaker for the 2007 Central Florida Development Council was Lynda Keever, Florida Trend publisher. Keever spoke to the many changes coming about in Florida business and among her comments noted, “the CSX rail facility could be a tremendous opportunity for this area” adding, “it could be the glue that links the region together.” She went on to encourage collaboration both within the county and with our neighbors to the east and west (metro Orlando and Tampa). She noted that addressing the future from a regional perspective is not easy (as most planning has traditionally been done on a local or county basis) but she emphasized that it was her belief that successfully pursuing the future through “regionalism” will be the key to real progress.
The intermodal terminal is planned for 318 acres of land previously used as spray fields for the city’s Wastewater Treatment Plant 2. Another 900 acres surrounding the terminal is slated to be developed as a business/industrial park.
The publisher of the state’s premier business publication also cited Publix Supermarkets for their environmental initiatives in going green. Other important Polk successes mentioned included the Lakeside Village shopping and restaurant center in Lakeland and Haines City’s developing medical business park.
Lynda Keever, Publisher
Florida Trend
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, Economic Development, Perspective, Transportation
Posted: September 12, 2007: 1:58 pm
In January 2006 the City of Winter Haven received a comprehensive report titled “Development of an Integrated Logistics Center in Winter Haven, Florida” which was distributed to elected officials, the media and the Chamber. This report was developed by HDR/HLB Decision Economics, Inc. of Silver Spring, Maryland.
The document has been published to the City of Winter Haven Web site since early 2006 and contains a thorough overview of employment projections, state and local tax revenue models and other valuable information about the impact that an Integrated Logistics Center (ILC) would have on our area.
With recent media reports that new development doesn’t pay its way, that employment figures for the ILC were somehow inflated to mislead, that tax projections are too grandiose . .. you will find this report comes to very different conclusions and it has been available for 18 months. The report is 30 pages long including charts and graphs and it is economic development information worth your time to read.
You can download a copy of this report here.
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Perspective, Transportation
Posted: August 28, 2007: 2:19 pm
Much has been written of late regarding the actual numbers of employees, trucks, trains etc., that will be associated with the CSX intermodal terminal. This blog reported most of the general details on February 21, 2007 and to a great extent that information remains accurate. The following information contains projections as of August 28 and examples for comparison to exisiting industry within the county.
How many employees will be on the CSX site during construction of the intermodal terminal?
- 590 jobs (est) (This number is approximately equal to the size of the staff at Cypress Gardens Adventure Park)
How many employees will work on site when the intermodal terminal is operational?
- 150-200 depending on the number that relocates from existing Orlando/Tampa facilities for automotive and intermodal (This employee number would be among Winter Haven’s mid-sized businesses)
How many trucks will enter and leave the intermodal facility on an average day?
- 750 – 1000 truck trips on the high side (375 – 500 actual trucks) spread out over a 24 hour period. Traffic will be relative to train schedules which, at present, have not been finalized. (This would be about twice as many vehicles as the daily number accessing the Winter Haven Wal-Mart Distribution Center on Lucerne Park Road — and in a far more rural area)
How many trains will arrive at the intermodal terminal on a daily basis?
What is the economic potential for the intermodal facility?
- There is a potential for five million sq. ft. of ancillary development in the future adjacent to the terminal. In addition there will be interest in surrounding development as a result of creating an industrial base – such developers as First Industrial, Liberty Trust, etc. The terminal will provide a high volume lower cost freight transportation solution for a state that will continue to grow into the future.
- By comparison, the Lakeland Economic Development Council Web site notes there are twenty-six million square feet of industrial/warehouse space currently in the Lakeland area.
- The LEDC site also notes that Lakeland has absorbed more than 1 million sq. ft. annually since 1987. That growth rate is twice what is projected for the ILC.
- Current projects under development in the Haines City area will bring more than 2 million sq. ft. of industrial/warehouse space to that city.
How many jobs may be associated with the ancillary development?
- Once the terminal is completed and upon completion of the Development of Regional Impact findings, it is estimated than over the next decade up to 2,000 jobs will be created in the surrounding warehouse, industrial and office complexes. (Roughly equal to the number of State Farm Regional or Winter Haven Hospital employees.)
What types of companies might locate in the area surrounding the intermodal terminal.
- Looking to Alliance, Texas for an example, here is a sampling of the companies that center attracted: County Workforce Board, AT&T, Bell Helicopter, Cardinal Health, Coca-Cola, Daimler Chrysler Services, Ford Motor Company, a branch of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, Fidelity Investments, Fortuna Pizza Pasta Subs, General Mills, General Motors, Hampton Inn and Suites, The Home Depot, IHOP, Kraft Foods, Manpower, Motorola, Phillips Electronics, Pitney Bowes, Ryder System, Snooty Pig Cafe, Texas Instruments, a US Customs Office and numerous other offices, retail operations and distribution facilities. The dynamics of the Winter Haven site may attract a different mix but similar results could be reasonably expected.
What about the concerns of the Lakeland community?
- CSX wants to facilitate a solution quickly. The company will be working with FDOT, Federal transportation officials, the Lakeland Chamber, City of Lakeland and Downtown Development Authority in an effort to address noise and flow of pedestrian traffic within the merchant market area.
What about the Sundance residential concerns.
- CSX has stated that bringing closure to the concerns of those residents, particularly adjacent to the track is necessary for a successful project.
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, Perspective, Transportation
Posted: August 21, 2007: 2:55 pm
The Chamber hosted an interesting breakfast forum for City Commission candidates this morning … interesting in part because three candidates who have filed to run campaigns failed to show. Bob Jardine, Macy Butler and Don Drefke, candidates for Seats 1, 2 and 3 respectively were not present to answer questions from the business community. Only Drefke sent regrets.
Mayor Nat Birdsong, Commissioner Jeff Potter and Candidate James “J.P.” Powell were on hand and fielded questions on a variety of topics relevant to Winter Haven. Among them:
Insuring the health of the Chain of Lakes for future generations - All three candidates pointed to the area chain as an asset unique to Winter Haven and important to protect. Commissioner Potter mentioned (and all agreed) the stormwater runoff fees already in place help provide necessary resources to further protect water quality. Mayor Birdsong mentioned his interest the city’s program for obtaining environmentally sensitive lakefront property for public enjoyment. Candidate Powell would have the City and the Canal Commission work more closely together to maintain the canals free of debris while sharing advice and information.
Greatest Transportation Need - Birdsong, Potter and Powell all cited Dundee Road as as a priority. Birdsong and Powell both included Thompson Nursery Road as a top need. Candidate Powell mentioned reworking the intersection of Havendale Blvd. and US 17 (in his words an “absolute disaster.” Commissioner Potter also felt strongly the access and egress to and from Cypress Gardens Adventure Park must be corrected.
Downtown Residential - Birdsong, Potter and Powell all point to downtown residential as bringing additional vibrancy to that area. Birdsong also pointed to recent impact fee reductions that he believes will serve as a catalyst for further residential development in the downtown core.
CSX Intermodal Facility - Commissioner Potter feels the CSX facility will be a positive for the Winter Haven community. He supports the project “with the understanding that all issues must be addressed.”
Mayor Birdsong termed the CSX project a “win-win for the City, County and State” adding that roads and traffic will be the challenges. He noted there is no way to have a major project without significant challenges but that tax revenue generated by the project will help address the infrastructure needs.
Candidate J.P. Powell stated, “Bring it on!” Powell felt this area has needed such a development for years. He notes the boost it will provide Winter Haven and the area will create jobs and the tax revenues to provide the enhancements to parks and other amenties that are traditionally hard to fund.
Water - Birdsong, Potter and Powell all point to consumption management, conservation education and maximizing the introduction of re-use water as keys to future needs. Commissioner Potter favors a permanent restriction on lawn watering noting it will take changes in mentality and lifestyle to meet future needs.
Hometown Democracy Amendment - This initiative is actually designed to, if successful, place a proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution on the 2008 ballot. Currently organizers continue to collect signatures. To date it has not met the requirements to be on the ballot.
The amendment being proposed would, simply stated, place all local land use changes on local ballots for approval. Some estimate that upwards of 2 - 300 such ballot approvals may be necessary depending on the county. There is a real fear of “ballot-gridlock” and “don’t know-vote no” outcomes. Candidate Powell was not familiar with the concept and will seek background information. Commissioner Potter is not in favor of the concept and feels it will encourage governments to look for ways to circumvent the system. Mayor Birdsong noted that the current comprehensive plan, site plan reviews and regulatory safeguards are onerous enough on the development process and are a far more effective form of home rule.
The election for the Winter Haven City Commission will take place on September 4. Polls will be open throughout Winter Haven that day. You may vote early at the County offices at the Gill Jones Center on Highway 17 North just past Winter Haven Ford on the left.
Candidates are as follows:
Seat # 1 (vacated by Charles Cone)
Candidates Bob Jardine and James “J.P.” Powell
Seat # 2 Mayor Nathaniel Birdsong seeks re-election
Candidate Macy Butler opposes Birdsong
Seat # 3 Commissioner Jeff Potter seeks re-election
Candidate Don Drefke opposes Potter (Note: Our original post listed Bob Jardine as opposing Commissioner Potter. We regret the error.)
| See other posts filed in: Perspective, Political Scene
Posted: August 17, 2007: 1:29 pm
You can feel good about your Chamber investment … your customers do.
A new national study reveals that membership in a local chamber of commerce can significantly boost a business’s image among consumers, as well as among other businesses. In a scientific survey of 2000 U.S. adults, The Schapiro Group, an Atlanta-based strategic consulting firm, found positive perceptions of chamber members in a number of areas, including overall favorability, consumer awareness and reputation, and likelihood of future patronage.
The findings indicate that when respondents were told that a particular small business was a member of its local chamber, they were 44 percent more likely to rate it favorably than study respondents who were not told of the chamber affiliation. Respondents were also 63 percent more likely to want to purchase goods or services from a small business that is a chamber member.
“We discovered that informing someone about a company’s chamber membership opens the door to substantial increases in positive perceptions of that business,” said Alex Trouteaud, Ph.D., senior strategist for The Schapiro Group. “There clearly is a feeling by our respondents that chamber membership is synonymous with quality and desirability.”
To tap into this reservoir of goodwill, a small business should not only join the local chamber of commerce and participate, but also make sure consumers and other businesses are aware of that chamber affiliation.
The positive impact of perceived chamber membership is felt by big businesses, too. For example, when consumers believed that a restaurant chain was a member of the local chamber of commerce, they were 40 percent more likely to eat at the franchise in the future. And if a consumer believed that one of the major automobile manufacturers was a member of its local chamber, that consumer was 9 percent more likely to consider purchasing his or her next car from that automaker.
“This study reinforces research done in 2005 about the perceived capacity of chambers to lead businesses and lead communities,” said Mick Fleming, president of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). “These new national findings point to even more direct benefits for companies willing to be stakeholders in their local chamber.”
The study results had good news for chambers themselves, where 82 percent of respondents indicated that a local chamber of commerce “creates jobs and promotes economic development.”
“The message from this national study is as simple as it is ground-breaking,” said Jim Blasingame, small business expert and president of Small Business Network, Inc. “Join your local chamber, be an active participant in your chamber’s programs and be sure to let your customers and prospects know you’re a proud chamber supporter when they come in your business and when they see your marketing material.”
Winter Haven Chamber members who need a new member plaque or want to use the logo above should contact chamber1@winterhavenfl.com.
View the entire survey here.
The study was commissioned by IBM, Administaff, Small Business Network, Inc., Market Street Services and the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE).
| See other posts filed in: General Announcements, Perspective
Posted: August 9, 2007: 11:05 am
Among the factors influencing the need for the CSX intermodal facility is the creation of a 61-mile commuter rail line from Poinciana to DeLand. myregion.org reports this is the first large-scale alternative transportation effort in the region. The creation of the commuter line involves moving the operations of the Taft rail yard facility in Orlando to the proposed CSX intermodal facility on what was formerly the wastewater spray fields for Winter Haven’s southernmost wastewater treatment plant.
To quote myregion.org, “Commuter Rail is the first part of an interconnected transportation system that can manage future growth, ease congestion, improve quality of life, enhance safety and mobility of goods and people while generating new economic opportunities for millions of residents, ensuring Central Florida is moving from vision to a reality and closer to becoming a world-class region.”
The “How Shall We Grow” visioning process conducted by myregion involved seven Central Florida counties including Polk. The process involved input from more than 20,000 residents within the seven counties. The initiative will conclude tomorrow with the unveiling of a Shared Growth Vision for Central Florida and we will present links to the findings.
Read the complete Commuter Rail article here
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Parks and Green Space, Perspective, Transportation
Posted: July 10, 2007: 3:09 pm
In May 2007, Lakeland officials communicated a number of questions and concerns regarding the impact that the Winter Haven intermodal facility might have on that community and specifically their downtown core. In early June, CSX representatives met with City, Chamber and Downtown representatives to further understand the issues at hand.
CSX Assistant Vice President for Business Unit Services, Rick Hood, has communicated the company’s initial response to these concerns. Each question or potential issue is presented in bold type and the CSX response follows. The document is available here.
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Perspective
Posted: July 3, 2007: 11:32 am
This August, Polk Vision, Inc. welcomes the inaugural Leadership Polk class. The 30 class participants represent a cross-section of unique, talented and highly qualified professionals from the Polk County business community, government and non-profit organizations.
Pat Steed, Executive Director of the Central Florida Regional Planning Council and Polk Vision Executive Committee member, will serve as chair for the inaugural class.
Leadership Polk Class I
Cindy Alexander, Debbie Burdett, Colleen Burton, Tim Campbell, Stacy Campbell-Domineck, Beth Clark, Brad Dantzler, Marsha Faux, Gow Fields, Rick Garcia, Marshall Goodman, Ray Graber, Mike Herr, Gary Hester, Nelson Kirkland, Greg Littleton, Kim Long, Jerry Miller, Bonnie Parker, Tom Patton, Linda Pilkington, Martha Santiago, Anu Saxena, Daniel Stetson, Joe Tedder, Seretha Tinsley, Horace West, Nat West, Terry Worthington and Myrtice Young
Leadership Polk is a community leadership program designed to engage and connect community leaders from across Polk County.
Leadership Polk will build the awareness of executive, government, and community leaders from across Polk County regarding regional issues and initiatives as well as help to develop visionary approaches and collaborative behavior in graduates who occupy or will assume leadership roles in organizations within Polk County.
This intensive program runs from August through May each year. Each session examines some of the key themes and issues surrounding our County and the municipalities within the County.
In choosing participants, the Leadership Polk Advisory Committee identified candidates who have demonstrated commitment to the community through past activities and who possess a wide variety of skills and interests. The members of the inaugural class come from Polk County companies big and small as well as government and non-profit organizations.
| See other posts filed in: General Announcements, Perspective, Uncategorized
Posted: June 27, 2007: 3:18 pm
I’m not sure if “emerging” is the best word to describe Winter Haven’s technology-based businesses but there is a growing concentration and sophistication in this sector. It’s not new … thinking back 10 to 15 years to Ingram Leedy’s “iThink” dial-up, Josh Hallett’s “webcode” (that designed our first Web site) and Mike Kingham’s “Datalink” off-site data back up service — computer and internet entrepreneurs have been calling Winter Haven home for two decades.
More recently downtown has become the “digital interchange” for a number of major fiber optic network providers including: FPL Fibernet, Level 3 Communications; Time Warner Telecom and Verizon (who are all those people outside my window?!!).
As a result, this resource has attracted companies such as Amstec, CertaData, cnp_studio, ColoFlorida, LLC (Leedy), Cyberlink1, Doculex, Inc., Hyku, Inc. (Hallett), Kingham Software, Inc. (Kingham), Lebhar Friedman, Inc., Nuvox, Prism Technology Solutions, Sprint Nextel and techIT Solutions. (The names in parentheses are those original technology folks mentioned earlier.)
In addition to strong local and statewide client networks, Winter Haven technology companies are bringing their expertise to national brands. We asked our technology members for insight into their client base and you may be surprised by the variety. For example, techIt Solutions/Global Enterprise Solutions has brought their expertise to clients such as The Walt Disney Company, Apple Computers, Nike and the Cork School of Music in Cork, Ireland. Hyku, Inc. has served such enterprises as Yahoo, Sony, Unisys, Sea World, DOW and General Motors. cnp_studio has provided web development for Sea World, Prudential Tropical Realty, Sony and the University of Florida.
And when we asked the sector what they considered their greatest challenges several said, “overcoming the belief that the expertise is not available locally.”
All of this seems likely to be complemented by the potential focus of the new campus planned for Polk County that appears will be named USF-Polytechnic.
That has a nice ring to it.
| See other posts filed in: Perspective, Success Stories, Technology
Posted: May 3, 2007: 2:49 pm
Estimated 2007 population totals for East Polk zip codes total nearly 323,000 people. That compares to West Polk estimates at 243,000 for zip codes in Lakeland, Kathleen and Mulberry.
Since 2000, Winter Haven zip codes have increased by the following estimates:
33880 - (34,762 to 37,488) +7.7%
33881 - (27,149 to 29,997) +6.5%
33884 - (16,173 to 19,641) + 15.8%
As healthy as those figures seem, they pale in comparison to Davenport’s 33897 zip at +118.2% increase and Kissimmee zip 34759 at +117.5%. (The Kissimmee zip crosses over the Polk County line and therefore represents Polk residents.)
Totals for the East Polk area for the 2007 estimate are 323,896 for a +20.6% growth rate (nearly identical to the 1990-2000 rate of 20.8%). West Polk grew from 218,706 residents in 2000 to a 2007 estimated 243,085 or +11.1%.
The information was compiled from Claritas’ Reports by Gordon Kettle, a respected economic consultant that lectures at Polk Community College. He also serves as consultant to the Central Florida Development Council.
For a complete look at all Polk municipalities as well as cumulative growth estimates through 2012 click here …
Polk Population Growth 2007 (MS Excel Spreadsheet)
How has this growth affected your business? What do you see the future holds for you and your company?
| See other posts filed in: Perspective
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