Mills Building Turns Back the Hands of Time

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.

1 Comment | See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Commercial Renovations, Downtown, Economic Development, Uncategorized

The Monday Morning Post: This Week in Winter Haven

Posted: March 9, 2009: 8:23 am

Wheels and Keels: The Chain of Lake Auto and Boat Show
This Saturday, March 14
9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Central Park, Downtown Winter Haven

• More than 100 Cars and Boats on display
• Exhibitors include auto restoration experts, vehicle wraps, dock contruction and marine storage
• Live Music Noon - 5 p.m.
• Moonwalks for the kids
• Food booth from Winter Haven High Business Students
• Door prizes and more

Participating dealers include: Cypress Water Sports; Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Winter Haven; Hill Nissan; Jarrett Ford Lincoln/Mercury of Winter Haven; Marine Supply - The Boating Center; Regal Acura; and Winter Haven Honda.  Exhibits from Precision Collision, Real Skinz and Larry Gohn Dock Construction/Chain of Lakes Marine Storage.

On site financing from Mid-Florida Credit Union.

Presenting Sponsors:

There will be door prizes, great fun and good deals on a fabulous selection of automobiles and boats. Join us March 14 fro 9 am. to 7 p.m. in Downtown’s Central Park for “Wheels & Keels: The Chain of Lakes Auto and Boat Show.”

Organized by the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce

Upcoming Chamber events:
Business Women’s Luncheon Forum - March 12
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. @ Chamber’s Coleman Auditorium
Speaker: Dr. Eva Salamon?
Topic: “Women’s Heath Care - Present and Future”
$25 for Chamber members and $40 for non-members
Pay for the event here. 

WHYPG Luncheon - March 18?
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. @ Chamber’s Coleman Auditorium
Speaker: Nick Gernert, web development director for cnp_studio
Topic: “Social Media”
$10 for WHYPG members and Chamber members
$20 for non-WHYPG members and non-Chamber members
RSVP here.

Chamber Calendar 
Mark Your Calendar:
Business on the Balcony - March 19
March Networking Showcase @Lake Howard Heights - March 26
Chamber Challenge Golf Tournament - March 27

Community Events link
Champagne & Shamrocks - March 13
Wheels and Keels: The Chain of Lakes Auto and Boat Show - March 14
Central Park Art Festival - March 21 and 22

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CSX ILC Potential Contractors/Vendors - Save The Date!

Posted: February 25, 2009: 3:27 pm

We have received a number of inquiries regarding subcontracting and vendor opportunities related to the Evansville Western/CSX project.

The Chamber has learned that the design-build team for the Winter Haven inter modal rail terminal, TransDevelopment Group of Atlanta and Kearney Construction of Tampa, will host a “job fair” for potential subcontractors and vendors on May 20, 2009.  The exact location of the job fair will be announced at a later date (and will be posted here as well).

A more formal announcement will be forthcoming, but in the meantime any Chamber members that may be interested in bidding for work related to the Winter Haven ILC should save the May 20th date.

Photograph upper left: BNSF Rail Terminal, Alliance Gateway, Dallas/Ft.Worth, Texas

5 Comments | See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Economic Development, General Announcements, Transportation, Uncategorized

12 -5 Friday Update: A Weekend of Holiday Events!

Posted: December 5, 2008: 11:03 am

Boat Parade Route, Details and Best Viewing Locations:

 Parade Details:

Parade assembles in Lake May between 6 and 6:30 p.m. Saturday, December 6 near the Marine Supply of Winter Haven

Parade departs at 6:30 p.m. and heads to Lake Shipp (Lead order is WHPD boat, Santa’s Sleigh, and Chamber boat.)

Best Boat Decorations will be judged as the parade returns to Lake May past the Winter Haven Nautical Club Dock (judges on that dock) (Boaters must display poster board with cell phone #) Prizes sponsored by Marine Supply of Winter Haven.

Key viewing locations  

Lake Shipp:
Lake Shipp Park
Harborside Restaurant
Roe Park

Lake May
Lions Park
Chain of Lakes Marine Storage
Winter Haven Nautical Club
Dockside Restaurant

Lake Howard:
City Dock at base of Central Avenue
McDock area at base of Pope Avenue
City Dock on West side of Lake
Old Man Frank’s Restaurant

More Options including Havendale Chrismas Parade and Carols in the Park this weekend!

Havendale Christmas Parade Dec. 5, 7 pm. starting Spring Haven Retirement
Holiday Boat Parade Dec. 6, 6:30 p.m. starting Lake May
Carols in the Park Dec. 6 and 7

Click here to see more community calendar listings.

Chamber upcoming events…

Winter Haven Young Professionals Group Holiday Party Dec. 9
5:30 p.m. @ Garden Ballroom & Banquet Facilities
Celebrate the holiday season! Great food, desserts and door prizes.
Admission (includes hors d’oeuvres, dessert bar and 1 drink ticket): $20 for WHYPG members and $25 for non-WHYPG members.
Cilic here to buy tickets. http://winterhavenfl.com/calendars/539-WHYPG-Holiday-Party/details

Business Women’s Luncheon Forum Dec. 11
11:30 a.m. @ Chamber’s Coleman Auditorium
Seretha Tinsley, Tinsley Family Concessions, will speak “What’s in a Name? What’s Your Brand?”
Admission: $25 for Chamber members and $40 for non-members.
Click here to more information and tickets. http://winterhavenfl.com/calendars/533-Business-Women-s-Luncheon-Forum-featuring-Seretha-Tinsley/details

November Networking Showcase: Thursday, Dec. 11, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Presented by CenterState Bank and Morgan Stanley, Winter Haven branch
1101 First St. South in Winter Haven Details and RSVP here. http://winterhavenfl.com/calendars/521-Holiday-Networking-Showcase-hosted-by-CenterState-Bank-and-Morgan-Stanley-Winter-Haven-Branch/details

A Couple of Future Dates to Save …
Wednesday, January 7 - First Wednesday Business Breakfast
Tuesday, January 13 - Business on the Balcony - Speed Networking
Thursday, February 3 - Banker’s Cup 2009/Taste of Winter Haven
Friday, March 27 - 2009 Chamber Challenge Golf Tournament

What’s coming up… http://winterhavenfl.com/calendars/community_calendar

Tuesday, Dec. 9
Holiday Concert at PCC

Thursday, Dec. 18
Snow Central in downtown Winter Haven

Remember to Shop Your Local Merchants. The holiday season can make or break many small businesses. Shop Local … the job you save may be yours.

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Third Friday Update: Spend Your Dollars Locally!

Posted: November 21, 2008: 3:55 pm

Welcome to our twice monthly business blog update. Based on our 2008 member survey, 75% of you prefer electronic correspondence from the Chamber. The first and third Friday of each month we will share late breaking news with you via our blog post.

THE WORDS FOR THE SEASON ARE “SHOP LOCAL”

We all know this is a tough economy and many businesses are facing the Holiday Season with uncertainty as Americans tighten their belt. We can all do our community a big favor by spending our dollars locally. You’ll find every gift imaginable from special shops to fine restaurants and retailers. This Christmas, stuff your stockings at home!  The job you save may be your own.

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Chain of Lakes Complex … Make No Little Plans

Posted: May 15, 2008: 8:27 am

Satellite view of proposed master planning DRI

City Commissioners, staff, Chamber and Main Street representatives heard a preliminary overview of how redevelopment of the current Chain of Lakes Stadium/Southwest Complex property is likely to proceed. The City actually plans to trigger a “Development of Regional Impact” study (DRI) on a major portion (approximately 200 acres) of the community’s southwest quadrant bounded on the north by Avenue O, south by the Lake Lulu/Shipp canal, east by Park Lake/First Street South and west by Lake Shipp. Local developer Tony Binge presented the conceptual scenerio involving commercial, residential and enhanced public access to the Chain of Lakes.  City staff underscored that the plan will provide for all amenities currently found on the Chain of Lakes property including a new facility for Theatre Winter Haven, a new aquatic center and other recreational amenities. Public access to Lake Lulu and the east shore of Lake Shipp would be greatly enhanced.

The master plan being contemplated will produce land use guidelines including more inter-city in fill development of a very high quality as well as an increased emphasis on Chain of Lakes access and appreciation, connectivity to walking trails and downtown.

The information was shared during the City’s annual planning retreat where those present outlined a vision for the city both five and ten years in the future. The areas of emphasis included Economic Development, Community Neighborhoods, Lakes, Leisure, Growth and Development and City Services. The City continues to use the results of the “Our Future By Design” visioning document as a significant benchmark for planning purposes. The document was developed in 1999-2000 by a broad cross section of Winter Haven residents (approximately 200 participated throughout the process).

9 Comments | See other posts filed in: Chain of Lakes, City of Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Cultural Arts, Dining, Economic Development, Parks and Green Space, Real Estate, Sports, Uncategorized

Inaugural Leadership Polk Class is Named

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.

1 Comment | See other posts filed in: General Announcements, Perspective, Uncategorized

Why we live here …

Posted: March 5, 2007: 8:29 am

Oswego County, Northwestern NY. Please share any words of wisdom you might have for the folks in Oswego County …

10 Comments | See other posts filed in: Uncategorized

Renaissance for a Resort?

Posted: February 16, 2007: 8:11 am

Reliable sources indicate a well known area developer may be considering the purchase of East Polk’s Grenelefe Resort. We’re told plans would include a comprehensive facelift and possible return of a full-service conference center.

The property, which borders lake Marion, is currently owned by Orlando-based Westgate Properties. It has been operated as both a tennis and golf resort.

We’ll keep you informed as we learn more … What are your thoughts about a renaissance for Grenelefe?

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Health Insurance Options for Small Business …

Posted: January 22, 2007: 2:29 pm

Health insurance for a small business or sole proprietor can be a challenge. What options are out there? What about an individual policy? Join us on Thursday morning, Jan. 25 for Business Over Breakfast when we present a panel discussion featuring representatives from United Healthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Heritage Consultants third party payers as well as a local perspective on individual policies. Panelists include John Ruthan, Chuck Athans, Sean Tobin and Luetta Cain. Get answers to your questions. Business Over Breakfast is sponsored by techIT Solutions.

Business Over Breakfast is held at the Chamber: 401 Avenue B, NW in Downtown Winter Haven. Overlooking beautiful Central Park.
Cost is $10 for Chamber members and $20 for non-members. To RSVP click here

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