Aldi, Zaxby’s and Murphy Oil Planned for Haven …

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Bob Gernert

Site plans have been submitted for a multi-structure development directly north of Payless Shoes and south of the former Atlanta Bread store (US Highway 17 and Avenue K, SW across from Citi Centre). The parcel was formerly occupied by Winter Haven Citrus Growers and Hart Oil Company. Site plans call for a 17,866 sq. ft. ALDI food store, a 3407 sq. ft. Zaxby’s Restaurant, and a 10 pump island Murphy Oil Station.

According to the submitted site plan, Winter Haven Venture-2, a Texas limited partnership out of Dallas is the developer. Once the submitted site plan is approved development may begin.

 

 

Posted in Commercial Developments, Dining, Economic Development | 2 Comments

Congratulations to Winter Haven High School !

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Bob Gernert

On behalf of the Chamber and the Educational Outcomes Taskforce (now evolving into the Public Education Partnership, we want to extend our sincere congratulations to Principal Gina Williams, the WHHS faculty and the student body for their hard work and contributions resulting in the school improving its grade from “D” to “B” — it’s first ever on its annual report card issued by the state. Concern over the school’s marginal performance last year prompted a community-wide task force to form bringing important resources together on behalf of the City, Polk State College, Polk Public Schools and the Chamber of Commerce.

Commenting on the school’s improvement to a “B”, Taskforce Chairman Doug Lockwood commented, “Principal Gina Williams, her staff, teachers and students at WHHS deserve a congratulatory round of applause for WHHS’s dramatic improvement from a D to a B school. As a community, we must make every effort to improve all our public schools with the goal that each of them excel in every way. We still have a lot of work ahead of us to create the best education possible that all of our kids need and deserve. But what a great start for the Blue Devils of Winter Haven High!”

According to reports, Principal Williams first announced the news to the school via the public address system … shortly after ordering a celebratory cake!”

Go Big Blue!

Posted in Education, Success Stories | 8 Comments

LEGOLAND FL Among Parks at Maximum Capacity

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Bob Gernert

LEGOLAND guests enjoy the Technic roller coaster.

At approximately 12:30 p.m. today, LEGOLAND Florida stopped admitting guests “to ensure the guests of LEGOLAND Florida have an enjoyable day with their families.” The park had posted cautionary facebook entries earlier that it was approaching capacity and may have to turn guests away. Cypress Gardens Boulevard was experiencing significant traffic as well.

Disney parks also reached capacity today and I-4 was reportedly jammed. Central Florida tourism enjoying a very big day.

LEGOLAND will open at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow (Thursday, December 29.)

Posted in LEGOLAND® Florida, Tourism | 4 Comments

Call for Nominations: 2012 Banker’s Cup Awards

Posted on December 20, 2011 by Bob Gernert

Nominations Accepted Through Monday, January 23
Mark Your Calendar: Taste of Winter Haven/Awards Banquet – February 2

Chamber President Nelson Kirkland has called upon interested organizations or individuals to present nominees for the 2012 Bankers Cup Awards. Traditionally, both a man and a woman from the community are recognized. Criteria for the award are as follows:

• To honor persons dedicated to making Winter Haven better for their having lived here.

• Consider the range of activities and the involvement of the person you nominate and their positive impact on our community.

• Neither age nor occupation should be a factor. Every living resident of Winter Haven of exemplary character, is a potential candidate.

• Social standing is not relevant; respect and integrity are.

• Traditionally an award is voted by the Selection Committee for both a woman and a man, if worthy candidates are presented.

• Activities should be considered only if they were truly for the community good. For example, work done for one’s personal hobby would be given less importance than work volunteered to serve the needs of others.

• It is not a popularity contest. The number of letters received is never a deciding factor; one sincere, well-documented letter may be enough.

• It is appropriate to honor person for freely-given service over a period of years.

• The question is, “Who has made the most positive impact on making the Winter Haven area a better place to live?”

There are no forms to be completed. Groups or individuals are invited to send nomination letters to Bankers Cup Selection Committee, c/o Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce, P. O. Box 1420, Winter Haven, FL 33882-1420. Deadline for 2012 Nominations is Monday, January 23.

Posted in Chamber Events, Dining, General Announcements | Leave a comment

NYT Regional Newspapers May Be Sold

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Bob Gernert

Sale would include The Ledger and News Chief.

According to a report on The Ledger’s web site it appears that negotiations are underway between the New York Times and Halifax Media Group involving HMG’s purchase of the NYT Regional Newspaper group which includes both The Ledger and the News Chief.

According to the report, “The Daytona Beach-based Halifax Media Group owns The Daytona-Beach News Journal, five other news organizations in Florida and other newspapers across the south. On Monday morning, the Halifax Group’s Web site listed all of the Times Company’s regional papers as its own, tipping off the media blogger Jim Romenesko.” Romenesko’s blog post is here.

A spokesman with the New York Times has declined comment.

You can read the entire article here.

 

Posted in Commercial Developments, News Media | Leave a comment

From Flight to Photos and Frozen Treats – Special Stocking Stuffers …

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Bob Gernert

Stumped for that special gift?  Here are some Chamber member suggestions …

The Learning Curve has GREAT stocking stuffers for kids & adults! Gift certificate or gift. Unique educational toys, family games and gifts for the whole family! Our favorite game called Spot It is flying off the shelf! Stop by and ask for a FREE sample.  6294 Cypress Gardens Blvd. Located in the High Point Centre.

Potthast Studios is offering special discounts on Gift Cards. Save $25 on a studio session and $50 on location sessions if you purchase a gift card for Christmas. Contact Studio for details. 234 West Central Avenue    294-4920

Preston Aviation – The gift of Flight! Take a flight in a open cockpit 1941 Stearman Biplane. Don a helmet and goggles and step back in time. Rides are catered to you! Fly over the beautiful lakes, your house, Legoland, or special place of interest. Take the controls and see how gentle they fly. A unique, one-of-a-kind gift the the person that is impossible to surprise!! It’s FUN! Winter Haven Airport    956-2526

Tapping the Vine – Offer something unique! Organize a wine or beer tasting event (large or small) and let the stocking stuffer be the invite. As part of the tasting, the participants can have “TTV Cash” to be used towards the purchase of any wine or beer they enjoy. Tastings can be themed (by region, by varietal, by vintage, etc.) 268-8263 Millers Landing

Yogurt Grove Gift Certificates are the perfect stocking stuffer, teacher gift or Secret Santa gift! Come see us at  276 West Central Ave (downtown Winter Haven)

Colorful Guide to Shopping Local - Discover 134 Delightful Places to Play, Eat, And Shop, “Sweet P.E.A.S.” focuses on having fun in and around Winter Haven – 80 pages/ 82 photos. www.sweetpeasplaces.com. $12.95 plus tax. Available in the Chamber lobby.

Previous gift ideas posted here.

Discover the Sh-Opportunities! Buy Local
Shop a Winter Haven Chamber Member!

 

 

Posted in General Announcements, Shopping | Leave a comment

CSX Files Site Plan for Approval

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Bob Gernert

Evansville Western Railway, a subsidiary of CSX Transportation has applied for Site Plan Approval for the Intermodal Terminal. The 318 acre project in south Winter Haven will ultimately become an integrated logistics center (ILC) that will handle containerized freight. Once this permit is approved they can begin construction and it is expected to begin in early 2012.

Phase I of the project involves the intermodal rail terminal. Phase II will encompass another nearly 1000 acres that will develop as a state-of-the-art warehousing, industrial and office park. Plans for the project were announced in 2006. The state’s recent purchase of 61 miles of CSX tracks from Deland to Poinciana for use as the SunRail Commuter Rail system necessitates the move of the Taft Rail Yard in Orlando. As rail has emerged as the most cost and energy efficient way to move freight on land, the modern intermodal center will become a major hub in Florida’s transportation infrastructure.

Initial estimates peg construction employment at more than 600 jobs. Upon buildout the ILC is projected to employ 2,000 people directly and some 6,000 jobs will be created indirectly.

Posted in City of Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, CSX - Winter Haven, Economic Development, General Announcements, Transportation | 5 Comments

‘Tis the Season: Ideas for Stocking Stuffers …

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Bob Gernert

We contacted several member organizations and asked what they might offer as a unique “stocking stuffer” this holiday season. Here are several suggestions for a little something different to keep on giving after Christmas morning:

A Gift of Music from Imperial Symphony Orchestra:

Certificates can be purchased in $20 increments to be used toward any ISO event. Tickets for a single Masterworks concert are $20/$30/$40 for adults, free for all children and students. Tickets for our opera “The Barber of Seville” on January 21st are $150/$60/$40/$30, half price for students.

All of these options are available on our website or by calling us at (863) 688-3743.

A “15 Month” Year of Fun  and Learning through Family Membership at Explorations V Childrens Museum:  On special through December 30: Annual Family Membership $70

Give 15 months of hands-on, fun-filled adventures for the price of 12 months. Purchase over the phone w/credit card at 863 687-3869 or visit Explorations V Children’s Museum at 109 N Kentucky Ave, Lakeland

New Fun in Store at Fantasy of Flight:
Soar into the holidays with great gift ideas from Fantasy of Flight. Shop our unique selection of toys, apparel, books, DVD’s and more. Or make it easy with a Gift Certificate for Annual Passes, Attraction, Ropes Course and Zip Line tickets, or a Hot Air Balloon or Biplane ride. Call 863-984-3500 or visit their web site for more information.

A Gift of Art through Membership in Ridge Art Association:
Various membership categories starting at $30 annually. Comlete information here. 

Help the Ritz Theatre and Enjoy the 2012 Jim Stafford “Puttin’ on the Ritz” Concerts:
February 2 – March 17, 2012 at the Ritz on Central Avenue. For complete information and tickets visit here.

Attention Winter Haven Chamber Members:  Do YOU have a unique “Christmas Stocking Stuffer?”  Tell us about it in 25 words or less including your address and our panel of “Stocking Stuffer Experts” will pick the best. Deadline to submit is this Friday, December 16 at 4 p.m. Email to “Stocking Stuffer”

We will blog those last minute ideas Monday, December 19.

Discover the Sh-Opportunities! Buy Local – Shop a Winter Haven Chamber member!

Posted in General Announcements, Shopping | 1 Comment

Haven Job Growth Projected to be Top in Nation …

Posted on December 13, 2011 by Bob Gernert

Susan Adams, Senior Editor for Forbes, posted an article today that places Lakeland/Winter Haven tied for the top spot in job growth in the first quarter of 2012. She writes, “Though Florida was hard hit by the 2008 subprime mortgage crisis, and unemployment in the state sits 1.5% above the national average at 10.1%, in the first quarter of 2012, employers in two of Florida’s metropolitan areas are planning to increase their workforces at a rate that outpaces every other metro area in the country, according to employment services firm Manpower Group’s latest employment outlook survey, released today. In Cape Coral-Fort Myers, and in Lakeland-Winter Haven, a net 17% of employers plan to add employees in the first quarter of next year. Two other Florida metro areas, Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice and Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, make it into Manpower’s top 15, both with a 12% net hiring outlook.”

Read the entire article here.

(Editors note:) We have been contacted by MSNBC looking for companies with plans to hire in first quarter 2012. If your company is planning to hire and you are willing to be interviewed for national exposure, contact Bob Gernert.

 

 

 

 

Posted in City of Winter Haven, Employment Opportunity | 2 Comments

New Book is Resource to Play, Eat And Shop

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Bob Gernert


Three ambitious local women have just published a great resource for residents and visitors alike. “Sweet P.E.A.S.” is a collection of Winter Haven and East Polk places to Play, Eat, And Shop. From LEGOLAND® Florida to Fantasy of Flight and the Blue Room to K.C.’s Big Dipper … Andy Thornals to the Purple Pompano — the book features a variety of unique destinations sure to interest our tourism guests as well as residents looking for new experiences. (Not to mention such special places as The Proper Pie Shoppe and the Blue Palmetto Cafe. )

Cheryl Beckert, Carol Carter and Jane West have compiled 80 pages of the most interesting destinations in Auburndale, Davenport, Dundee, Haines City, Lake Alfred, Lake Wales and right here in Winter Haven. Stop in for a copy and find out about all the places you didn’t know you needed to visit!

A perfect resource for visitors it is also ideal for stuffing in stockings this Christmas season. This useful and entertaining book is available in the Chamber Lobby for $12.95 plus tax. Lobby  hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday – Friday.

Get your copy today and let Sweet P.E.A.S. challenge your GPS system while you play, eat and shop in east Polk — especially Winter Haven!

Discover the Sh-opportunities! Buy local!

Posted in Dining, General Announcements, Shopping, Tourism | 6 Comments