Category Archives: Economic Development

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

Tom Patton Leaves CFDC

Posted on March 16, 2011 by Bob Gernert

The Ledger is reporting that Tom Patton, Executive Director of the Central Florida Development Council resigned effective Monday, March 14.  Patton cited a desire to “learn something new, I’m looking for something fresh.” Patton had headed the CFDC for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Economic Development | 1 Comment

Mom RULES! But then we knew that …

Posted on March 3, 2011 by Bob Gernert

Restaurant Mom Talks Family Friendly Strategies … A packed Chamber auditorium heard Julie Casey, The Restaurant Mom, give an expert overview of how businesses including restaurants, shops and hotels can attract and grow their share of the “family friendly” business … Continue reading →

Posted in Chamber Events, Dining, Economic Development, LEGOLAND® Florida, Success Stories, Tourism | Leave a comment

Chamber Board Urges New Chain of Lakes Complex Facilities

Posted on February 25, 2011 by Bob Gernert

The Board of Directors of the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce met today, February 25, 2011 for their mid-year planning retreat. Among the items considered on the agenda was the fate of the Chain of Lakes Complex property fronting … Continue reading →

Posted in City of Winter Haven, Cultural Arts, Dining, Economic Development, LEGOLAND® Florida, Perspective, Technology, Tourism | 5 Comments

Is Your Business Ready for LEGOLAND Visitors?

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Bob Gernert

Those children you see pictured to the left, accompanied by their parents and grandparents, are going to descend on Winter Haven by the hundreds of thousands beginning this October 2011. Is your business ready? Do you want to serve them … Continue reading →

Posted in Chamber Events, Dining, Economic Development, General Announcements, LEGOLAND® Florida, Tourism | 2 Comments

Things Looking Up for CSX ILC in Haven

Posted on February 11, 2011 by Bob Gernert

According to an article published by the Orlando Sentinel, Governor Rick Scott’s budget includes funding for the Sun Rail commuter rail project from Deland to Poinciana. The paper reports: “One of Scott’s policy advisers, Phillip Miller, told a Senate subcommittee … Continue reading →

Posted in Commercial Developments, CSX - Winter Haven, Economic Development, Transportation | Leave a comment

The Landings: Potential for $48.7 Million Economic Impact

Posted on February 9, 2011 by Bob Gernert

An Economic Impact Analysis Model on the proposed “Landings” project on Chain of Lakes Complex property indicates significant positive economic impacts would result from such a project. The study, completed by Gordon Kettle, Instructor of Economics at Polk State College … Continue reading →

Posted in Chain of Lakes, Commercial Developments, Economic Development, Employment Opportunity, Perspective, Real Estate, Tourism | Leave a comment