Category Archives: Perspective

Lakeland/Winter Haven MSA Among Eight Towns In FL Bucking the Downturn …

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Bob Gernert

CNN Money is reporting that Realtor.com has ranked eight Florida communities among the top 10  turnaround towns in the Nation. They primarily attribute the turnaround here (the Lakeland – Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area”MSA”) to the opening of LEGOLAND Florida … Continue reading →

Posted in City of Winter Haven, Economic Development, LEGOLAND® Florida, Perspective, Real Estate, Tourism | Leave a comment

Chamber Committee Delivers Education Report and Recommendations

Posted on May 24, 2011 by Bob Gernert

Following is the executive summary reviewing the findings and recommendations of a Steering Committee named in January by the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce. A file of the entire report is available here. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Report of the Educational … Continue reading →

Posted in City of Winter Haven, Education, Perspective | 3 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

HSR Operating Surplus? Sigh … We’ll never know …

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Bob Gernert

Florida Trend is reporting that an updated ridership study released today indicates that a high-speed rail line connecting Tampa to Orlando would have had a $10.2 million operating surplus in its initial operating year. The study was done by two … Continue reading →

Posted in High Speed Rail, Perspective, Transportation | 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

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

Charter District Not on Chamber Agenda

Posted on January 5, 2011 by Bob Gernert

The Chamber released a prepared statement yesterday regarding the plan to name an Educational Outcomes Steering Committee. We’ll give more detail about that later in this post. Perhaps more importantly was a potentially misleading article in this morning’s Ledger. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Perspective | 3 Comments

Leedy is Florida Trend’s November Icon Interview

Posted on November 1, 2010 by Bob Gernert

One of the original architects of the Sarasota School of Architecture movement, Winter Haven’s own Gene Leedy is the Icon interview in the November 2010 issue of Florida Trend. You can read the interview with the 82 year-old Leedy here. Leedy’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Perspective, Success Stories | 3 Comments

Chamber has “No on 4″ Signs While They Last …

Posted on October 19, 2010 by Bob Gernert

While they last … the Chamber has “No on Amendment 4″ yard signs and stands in our lobby. Stop by and pick yours up. Limit 1 sign and stand per opponent. We encourage you to display the sign in your … Continue reading →

Posted in Perspective, Political Scene | 1 Comment

Let Your Thoughts Be Known on High Speed Rail Stop …

Posted on October 15, 2010 by Bob Gernert

(Note: You can send an email to Lakeland City Commissioners (simultaneously) at the end of this post. Here is a brief recap of recent events.) On February 2, the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce became an early advocate of … Continue reading →

Posted in Perspective, Transportation, USF Polytechnic | 7 Comments