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Webber International University Awarded Grant by GiveWell Community Foundation
Babson Park, FL. (April 10, 2026)- Webber International University has been awarded a $10,000 Impact Polk grant from the Leland Bryan Fund within GiveWell Community Foundation to support its Skilled Workforce Training Scholarship Program. This funding expands access to short-term certificate programs and accredited bachelor’s degrees in healthcare and information technology, including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and The Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant (BSOTA), with a Minor in
Florida SBDC at UCF Named National SBDC of the Year by SBA
UCF Center Earns SBA's Highest SBDC Honor from Nearly 1,000 Centers Nationwide Florida SBDC Network State Office (Pensacola, Fla.) –The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, the state’s premier provider of small business assistance and expertise, proudly announces that the Florida SBDC at the University of Central Florida (UCF) has been selected as the recipient of the National Small Business Development Center Excellence and Innovation Award by the U.S. Small Business Administration
Webber International University Celebrates Founder’s Day with Annual Luncheon and State of the University Address
Babson Park, FL (April 10, 2026)- Webber International University continued its Founder’s Day celebration, officially observed on April 6, with its annual Founder’s Day Luncheon on April 8, bringing together alumni, donors, and community partners for fellowship and reflection on the institution’s progress and future. The event featured the annual State of the University address delivered by Webber President Dr. Nelson Marquez, who outlined his seven strategic visions for the institution. Dr. Marquez
The Vanguard School Featured in Haven Magazine
The Vanguard School Featured in Haven Magazine We’re honored to see The Vanguard School recently highlighted in Haven Magazine. The story shares how Vanguard helps students build confidence, develop skills, and discover a true sense of belonging through individualized education and a supportive community. As a long-standing part of the Polk County region, we’re proud to help students and families find pathways to success. Read the article:The Vanguard School: Somewhere to Believe In
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
CareerSource Polk Invites Community to 2026 Spring Job Fair
POLK COUNTY, Fla. (April 1, 2026) – CareerSource Polk will be hosting their 2026 Spring Job Fair, taking place on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Lake Eva Event Center, 799 Johns Ave, Haines City, FL, 33844. Veterans will receive early entry at 9:30 am. Polk County continues to experience strong growth, and with that comes an increased demand for local talent. Employers participating in the Spring Job Fair will have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with job seekers and
GiveWell Community Foundation Crosses Half-Billion Dollar Granting Milestone...
(March 31, 2026) – GiveWell Community Foundation (GWCF) is proud to announce a new granting milestone: since its founding in 1997, GWCF has awarded $524 million in grants to nonprofit organizations in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties and beyond. The announcement was made at the Community Foundation’s annual celebration of philanthropy event, attended by founders, fundholders, current and past board leadership, and community partners. “For nearly 30 years, GiveWell Community Foundation has been
Vanguard Faculty member Sara Cristobal Presents Nationally on Advancing Instruction for Neurodivergent Learners
The Vanguard School is proud to announce that faculty member Sara Cristobal, Reading Specialist, was selected to present at the Learning Disabilities Association of America conference, a nationally recognized forum for research and practice in supporting individuals with learning differences. Cristobal delivered three presentations focused on advancing instructional strategies for neurodivergent learners, drawing from both research and classroom-based practice. Her sessions included:“Scaffolding vs.
Polk Education Foundation Awards Laptops to 60 Graduating Seniors Through AT&T’s Digital Divide ?AT&T’s Initiative
The Polk Education Foundation helped transform the futures of 60 graduating seniors from Polk County Public Schools by awarding them brand-new laptops, sleeves, chargers, and headphones. This initiative was made possible through AT&T’s recent $30,000 contribution to help bridge the digital divide for students pursuing higher education. To be selected, students first applied for Foundation scholarships. Using established criteria, staff identified 60 students who then completed required virtual
Jay Rogers to Keynote 2026 Florida SBDC at USF Annual Business Awards Luncheon
TAMPA, Fla.(March 19, 2026) – On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at USF will recognize businesses from the 10-county Tampa Bay region during the 4th Annual Florida SBDC at USF Business Awards Luncheon. The 2026 Annual Business Awards will recognize Florida SBDC at USF and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) business award winners for their hard work and dedication during 2025. In addition, Florida SBDC at USF team members will be recognized for their
Tri-County Human Services Annual Fundraising Dinner, 5/15/26
Tri-County Human Services will host its annual fundraising dinner on May 15 at the Bonnet Springs Park Event Center, and we would love to have you join us.Tri-County holds accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and ranks in the top 2 percent of providers across the nation for mental health and addiction treatment services. Our work serves individuals and families across Central Florida who face serious challenges and need access to care and stability.This
AdventHealth Heart of Florida and AdventHealth Lake Wales open applications for 2026 community impact grant
Click Here: 2026 Community Impact Grant Eligibility Requirements DAVENPORT, Fla. (Friday, March 05, 2026) -- AdventHealth Heart of Florida and AdventHealth Lake Wales have opened the application period for the 2026 Community Impact Grant, an initiative designed to expand community health programs and strengthen access to whole‑person care throughout Polk County. Local nonprofit and community-based organizations are invited to apply for one-year grant funding aimed at addressing some of the area’s most
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
