Category Archives: Economic Development

Florida Traditions Bank Opens New Facilities

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Bob Gernert

Florida Traditions Bank has opened their new location at 1606 First Street South here in Winter Haven. The building is a 4900 sq. ft. facility . Congratulations to Senior Vice President Paul Colee and the Florida Traditions staff on a … Continue reading →

Posted in Commercial Developments, Economic Development, Financial Industry | 1 Comment

Cypress Station is For Sale …

Posted on August 1, 2011 by Bob Gernert

Cypress Station, the 2-story office / retail complex located at a major stoplight intersection on Cypress Gardens Boulevard in front of LEGOLAND® Florida in Winter Haven is for sale. The property for sale is a 3.8 acre site that houses … Continue reading →

Posted in Commercial Developments, Economic Development, General Announcements, LEGOLAND® Florida, Real Estate | 1 Comment

Downtown Parking Garage On Its Way! …

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Bob Gernert

City Commissioners, Main Street Winter Haven and the Chamber ceremoniously (or unceremoniously) took sledgehammers to concrete to symbolically begin the construction of the long-awaited downtown parking garage.  Main Street President, Anita Strang noted, “10 years ago when I leased my … Continue reading →

Posted in City of Winter Haven, Downtown, Economic Development, Main Street Winter Haven | 5 Comments

Scott Gives Green Light to SunRail – Haven ILC to Follow

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Bob Gernert

Governor Rick Scott today gave a long awaited approval releasing funds necessary to the creation of the SunRail Commuter Rail system from Deland to Poinciana. The project will require the relocation of the freight handling Taft rail yard and that … Continue reading →

Posted in City of Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, CSX - Winter Haven, Economic Development, Employment Opportunity | Leave a comment

LEGOLAND® FLORIDA HIRING ACCELERATES AS GRAND OPENING APPROACHES

Posted on June 1, 2011 by Bob Gernert

Central Florida’s Newest Theme Park To Hire 800 Remaining Employees Before October 15 Opening WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (June 1, 2011) – Imagine being one of LEGOLAND Florida’s Model Citizens (the Park’s affectionate term for its employees) poised at the front … Continue reading →

Posted in City of Winter Haven, Economic Development, Employment Opportunity, LEGOLAND® Florida, Tourism | 1 Comment

New “Depot” at SE Plaza

Posted on April 21, 2011 by Bob Gernert

The sign is up and plans are being finalized for the opening of a new Office Depot location at Southeast Plaza Shopping Center on Cypress Gardens Boulevard. The office supply store has not yet announced its opening date. We will … Continue reading →

Posted in Economic Development, General Announcements | 1 Comment

There May be a Steakburger in Your Future …

Posted on April 12, 2011 by Bob Gernert

On April 4, 2011, Monster.com posted a job opening for a “General Manager – Steak ‘n Shake Restaurant, Winter Haven, Florida”.  We have confirmed that the company has evaluated Winter Haven sites but City officials have not issued any type … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Economic Development | Leave a comment

LEGOLAND Florida Launches “Bed & Brick” Hotel Program

Posted on April 11, 2011 by Bob Gernert

LEGOLAND® Florida has taken one more deliberate step toward their successful October opening with the launch of their “Bed & Brick Preferred Hotel” program. According to General Manager Adrian Jones, “‘As with all LEGOLAND Parks, the BED-N-BRICK program is a vital tool … Continue reading →

Posted in City of Winter Haven, Economic Development, General Announcements, LEGOLAND® Florida, Tourism | Leave a comment

Polk State Gets $413,000 LEGOLAND Florida Training Grant

Posted on March 28, 2011 by Bob Gernert

Officials at Polk State College have learned that a Quick Response Training grant has been approved in the amount of $413,099 effective march 11, 2011. The grant from Workforce Florida, Inc., is for training of 423 new, full-time employees at … Continue reading →

Posted in Economic Development, Education, General Announcements, LEGOLAND® Florida, Merlin Entertainments, Polk State College, Tourism | 2 Comments

Polk Voices Speak to Spring Training Baseball Economics …

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Bob Gernert

Florida Trend has included an article on “The Economics of Baseball’s Spring Training” among its March 23 suggested reading. The overview written by Ryan Holewell appears online at www.governing.com and speaks to the dilemma public officials face when considering whether … Continue reading →

Posted in City of Winter Haven, Economic Development, Perspective, Sports, Tourism | Leave a comment