News

Orlando Health Lakeland Hospital Gifts $1 Million to Polk State College

LAKELAND (September 22, 2026) –– Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital today announced that it is gifting $1 million to Polk State College over five years. In recognition of the commitment, the Radiography Suite at the soon-to-open Polk State Haines City-Davenport Campus will be named the Orlando Health Radiography Suite.“For years to come, people will look back on this moment and recognize the lasting impact Orlando Health is making on healthcare education in Polk County,” said Carlos

Polk State Announces Open House Dates for Fall 2026 Semester

Wednesday, September 23, 2026 – Polk State College is slated to host open house events on both campuses and the JD Alexander Center during the Fall 2026 Semester.Local students and families are invited to tour campuses, meet faculty and staff, learn about academic programs and student life, complete college applications, receive assistance with applying for financial aid, enter to win scholarships, and more. During the events, attendees can also receive information on specific programs offered by the

Dr. Kevin O’Farrell joins Polk State College as Executive Vice President of Workforce & Strategic

Monday, September 14, 2026 – Dr. Kevin O’Farrell joins Polk State College today as Executive Vice President of Workforce & Strategic Initiatives, bringing more than 20 years of experience in state and higher education leadership.   Dr. O’Farrell most recently served as Senior Chancellor for Higher Education and Workforce Development within the Florida Department of Education. He previously served as Chancellor of the Division of Career and Adult Education and spent eight years at Pasco-Hernando State

Fall Job Fair - Oct. 29, 2026, CareerSource Polk

Pioneer Days Sponsor Opportunities

Florida SBDC at USF Team Members Honored for Service and Excellence at the 2026 Florida SBDC Network's Performance Excellence Awards

TAMPA(August 25, 2026) - The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at University of South Florida (USF) proudly announces that several team members were recognized on August 19, 2026 at the Sunseeker Resort – Charlotte Harbor during the 2026 Florida SBDC Network’s Performance Excellence Awards, a prestigious statewide event celebrating outstanding contributions across Florida’s nine regional small business development centers.“We were honored to attend the Florida SBDC Network’s Annual Awards and

Lake Ashton Veterans Association Auxiliary Annual Craft Fair To Benefit Military Veterans

Lake Wales, Florida — 24 October 2026 — The Lake Ashton Veterans Association Auxiliary (LAVA Auxiliary) is again hosting their annual Craft Fair event, to be held at the Lake Ashton Clubhouse, 4140 Ashton Club Dr, Lake Wales, FL 33859 on Saturday, 24 October 2026. The Craft Fair will run from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM; admission is free, and the event is open to the public. More than 40 local vendors are participating, including custom wood crafts, wreaths, gnomes, painted glassware, table runners, seasonal

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

Business Acrobatics: Adobe Tools Help Women Entrepreneurs Nail the Landing

As we celebrate Women's Small Business Month this October, it's important to recognize the innovative tools that empower women entrepreneurs to streamline their operations and drive growth. Adobe Acrobat offers a suite of features designed to enhance productivity, making it easier to manage documents, collaborate with teams, and handle essential business tasks efficiently. For women business owners looking to save time and focus on scaling their ventures, these solutions can be a game-changer in