Lake Wales Chamber President CEO - News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 4, 2026 Lake Wales, FL - The Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is launching a nationwide search for its next President & Chief Executive Officer to lead the Chamber into its next chapter. The President & CEO of the Lake Wales Chamber will be a community leader focused on education, strengthening the business environment, and shaping municipal, county and state policy through partnerships with elected officials, business leaders and community
Governor DeSantis awards Polk State a Workforce Capitalization Grant to Develop Agricultural Technology Partnerships
(L-R) Florida Commissioner of Education Dr. Henry Mack, Governor Ron DeSantis, Polk State College President Anastasios Kamoutsas and former Florida Senator JD Alexander announce a $276,069 Workforce Capitalization Grant and new wayfinding signage at the Polk State JD Alexander Center in Lake Wales.Wednesday, November 4, 2026 – Governor Ron DeSantis visited Polk State College’s JD Alexander Center in Lake Wales on Wednesday to announce the award of $276,069 in Workforce Capitalization Grant funding from the
MORE CONVENIENCE, MORE CHOICE: LAKE WALES TAG/TITLE SERVICE OPTION IS OPEN!
MORE CONVENIENCE, MORE CHOICE: LAKE WALES TAG/TITLE SERVICE OPTION IS OPEN! POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Renewing a vehicle registration, transferring a title, or obtaining a parking placard just became more convenient for Polk County residents. Express Auto Tags of Lake Wales is now open, giving customers another option for motor vehicle services through the Polk County Tax Collector’s growing partnership with private tag agency Dealer Services Network (DSN). Located at 24174 Highway 27, Suite 700, Lake Wales,
Polk Education Foundation to Name Two Suncoast Credit Union Scholars from the Class of 2027
The Suncoast Credit Union Foundation is partnering with Polk Education Foundation to offer two $3,000 scholarship awards to high school graduates in the Class of 2027. High school graduates in Suncoast Credit Union’s 25-county service territory have the opportunity to apply for financial support to continue their education, thanks to a $226,013 investment in scholarships by the Tampa-based credit union’s Foundation. Applications opened Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and are available through the PEF
Silent Auction (online), Webber Int'l Univ. (11/25/26-12/1/26)
Skip the Lines This Year – Join the Auction, Find the Perfect Gift, and Support a Great Cause!!! We’re excited to announce that our online auction to support Webber International University begins Thanksgiving week—don’t miss your chance to bid and make a difference! The auction will run from: Wednesday, November 25, 2026 at 6:00 AM EST Until Tuesday, December 1, 2026 at 9:00 PM EST This event is a
Priority registration begins today, open enrollment starts November 9 for Spring 2027 Semester at Polk State College
Monday, November 2 – Priority registration has started for the Spring 2027 Semester at Polk State College for students who have completed at least 50% of their program requirements. Open enrollment will start on Monday, November 9.Classes will start on January 6 with 16-week and FASTRACK 1 eight-week courses. Twelve-week classes will start on February 4, and FASTRACK 2 eight-week classes will start on March 5. Students who qualify for priority registration have received communications from their advisors.
Polk State and Florida Lottery celebrate Bright Futures scholars, underscoring commitment to affordability and community service
(L-R) Polk State College President Anastasios Kamoutsas, Polk State Nursing student Caleb Grace, and Florida Lottery Secretary Reginald Dixon celebrate Polk State’s Bright Futures students during the Florida Lottery Bright Futures Scholarships Outreach event on the Polk State Lakeland Campus.Friday, October 30, 2026 – More than 150 students, including 60 Bright Futures scholars, gathered at Polk State College’s Lakeland Campus on Wednesday for a Florida Lottery Bright Futures Scholarships Outreach event
Webber International University and Town of Dundee Join Forces to Create Meaningful Internship Opportunities and Strengthen Community Partnerships
Babson Park, FL (October 30, 2026)- Webber International University and the Town of Dundee are joining forces to create new opportunities for students while strengthening the connection between higher education, local government, and the community. Through a collaborative initiative between Webber International University's College of Business and the Town of Dundee, students will have opportunities to apply their academic knowledge, develop professional skills, and contribute to meaningful projects that
News Release: 10/28/2026
Stacks of pancakes swimming in syrup and juicy links of sausages can be yours on November 14th at the Rotary on The Ridge Club's annual Pancake Day-Salute to Veterans. Rotary on the Ridge has been presenting Pancake Day-Salute to Veterans for four years now after the Lake Wales Kiwanis Club passed the pancake flipper to them in 2022.The all-you-can-eat pancake affair runs from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Lake Wales Family Recreation Center, which just happens to be hosting the annual Fall Fest at noon. Come
CFHC New Davenport Women & Children Health Center
Davenport, FL – Central Florida Health Care is expanding access to care with the opening of its second health center in Davenport. The new Davenport Women and Children’s Health Center, located at 2370 N Blvd West, Building C, will open Tuesday, November 3, 2026. OB/GYN and pediatric clinicians will relocate from the current facility at 130 Ridge Center Drive to the new center, along with pediatric clinicians currently practicing at the Haines City Health Center. During the last fiscal year, the Davenport
Webber International University to Host Polk County Schools Ballot Initiative Presentation
Webber International University to Host Polk County Schools Ballot Initiative Presentation BABSON PARK, Fla. – Webber International University will host an informational community presentation featuring Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Fred Heid on Thursday, October 29, 2026, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. The presentation will provide information about the proposed 1.0 millage increase appearing on the November 3 ballot and what the initiative could mean for Polk County schools. Event
GiveWell Community Foundation Announces Impact Polk 2027 Grant Cycle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASELAKELAND, FL (October 20, 2026) – GiveWell Community Foundation (GWCF) is now accepting applications for the Impact Polk 2027 grant cycle. For more than 20 years, Impact Polk has been addressing community needs throughout Polk County through this annual competitive, donor-directed grant program of GWCF. This year's grants will focus on six areas identified through the United Community Indicators: economic & employment opportunities; education; food security; housing/shelter
Polk State DBOT Chair Greg Littleton honored with James L. Wattenbarger Award
Monday, October 19, 2026 –Polk State College is proud to announce that Greg Littleton, Chair of the Polk State College District Board of Trustees, will receive the 2026 James L. Wattenbarger Award at the upcoming Association of Florida Colleges’ Council of Trustees and Council of Presidents Joint Meeting in November.Selected by the presidents of the Florida College System, the James L. Wattenbarger Award is the highest honor bestowed upon an individual in recognition of their support for the Florida College
Estate Planning - John Miller, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones
Why Every Lake Wales Business Should Have a Media Kit Ready Before the Call Comes
A media kit (also called a press kit) is a curated package of materials that tells your business's story to journalists, partners, and investors — on your terms, before they ask. For businesses in Lake Wales and the broader Lakeland-Winter Haven area, where the Economic Development Council is actively drawing new attention to the region, being prepared matters. Studies show that 70% of journalists prefer finding company information independently rather than waiting for an email response — meaning if your
Scaling Market Research for a Changing Business Landscape in Lake Wales
Local businesses across the Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council face a familiar challenge: the market never sits still. As customer expectations shift and regional opportunities evolve, companies must keep their research practices nimble enough to monitor new patterns, test assumptions, and make decisions with confidence. This article explores practical ways to expand and modernize your market research without overwhelming your team or your budget. Learn below about: Why
How to Get More Customer Referrals: Smart, Strategic Moves for Small Business Owners
Attracting new customers is essential, but when your existing customers become your biggest fans, you unlock one of the most cost-effective growth levers in business: customer referrals. Referrals build trust faster than advertising. They cost less than paid search. And they scale when you build systems—not just hopes—around them. But here’s the problem: most small business owners wait for referrals instead of engineering them. Let’s fix that.Summary in a Snap If you're a small business owner and want
These Are Smart Ways to Keep Your Costs Low When Starting a Restaurant
Opening a restaurant is exciting, but the financial side can be daunting. Rent, equipment, staff, and permits quickly add up. The good news: with the right strategy, you can keep costs lean without cutting corners. 1. Start Small Before Scaling Instead of investing heavily in a large location, many first-time owners test their concept in lower-cost formats: Food trucks or pop-up kitchens Shared commissary kitchens Weekend farmer’s market booths These options help validate your menu,
Beneath the Surface: What Founders Miss About Risk Until It Bites Back
Launching a startup is often described as a leap of faith, but that metaphor misses something important—it implies a single moment of risk. In truth, starting and scaling a company means walking a daily tightrope, balancing opportunity with uncertainty, growth with exposure, ambition with fragility. The mythology around entrepreneurship loves to spotlight risk-takers as if recklessness is a virtue, but smart founders know better. Risk isn't just something to stomach—it's something to study, strategize,
The CTA, BOI and FinCEN: What Does this Mean for Lake Wales, FL Businesses?
The Corporate Transparency Act may require certain U.S. companies to disclose beneficial ownership information to FinCEN to combat financial crimes. While a Texas federal district court’s preliminary injunction puts this requirement on hold, many experts expect that to be overturned. In that event, failure to file could lead to fines of $500 per day, up to a maximum of $10,000, and possible criminal penalties. Read more for details on how this may impact your business in the future. 1. Determine if
