 Six rides, six themed playscapes, a water play area and even more oinktastic experiences have been revealed for the World’s First Peppa Pig Theme Park. These all-new attractions will create an unforgettable day of adventure at the new standalone theme park, opening in 2022, just steps away from LEGOLAND® Florida Resort.
Designed to be the ultimate day for little ones, the new theme park combines interactive rides and themed play grounds with character shows and an indoor cinema for quieter moments. Every corner of the charming new park is crafted with preschoolers in mind, from their first roller coaster rides with their parents and free fair games for the whole family, to an all-terrain course where they will pedal tricycles through a sensory-rich trail and a colorful splash pad that celebrates “muddy puddles” jumping fun! Through every experience, families will snort, giggle and create their family’s first theme park memories together with Peppa and her friends.
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 Blost post by: The Florida Chamber Foundation
Thank you to all who participated in the Florida Chamber Foundation’s 2021 Workforce Needs Survey. More than 1,100 responses from business and industry leaders and HR professionals across Florida helped us understand the skills that are important to today's workforce and played an integral role in the overall research for the Florida Workforce Needs Study. As a follow up to the release of the Study, a first-of-its-kind statewide analysis identifying top career areas, skills gaps and opportunities in the Florida workplace, we are happy to present you with phase 2 of the rollout, the Lakeland Metro Skills Report. This report completes and evaluates the balance between skillset supply and demand in the Lakeland-Winter Haven metro market. Dr. H. Keith Wade Named to Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Board of Examiners for 20217/26/2021  The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has named Dr. H. Keith Wade, President & CEO at Webber International University (Webber), headquartered in Babson Park, Florida, to the Board of Examiners for the 2021 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. The Baldrige Award is the nation’s highest honor for organizational innovation and performance excellence.
Appointed by the NIST Director, examiners are responsible for reviewing and evaluating applications submitted for the Baldrige Award, as well as other assessment-related tasks. The examiner board is composed of leading experts competitively selected from industry, professional, trade, education, health care, and nonprofit (including government) organizations from across the United States. AdventHealth returned to “yellow” status in response to the latest surge in COVID-19 cases, the health system announced on today’s AdventHealth Morning Briefing. The move means that new elective surgeries that require inpatient stays will be deferred, and each campus’ chief medical officer will review all cases that require a stay in the Intensive Care Unit. Surgeries that are already scheduled, pediatric surgeries and procedures at outpatient surgery centers will not be affected.
About 720 people were hospitalized Thursday with COVID-19 in AdventHealth hospitals across Central Florida, a number that is still below the peak of about 900 COVID patients in January.  Guest blogger: Mark Wilson with the Florida Chamber of Commerce
New data shows that today Florida, if it were an independent country, would be the 15th largest economy in the world. Florida overtook Indonesia and Mexico's economies during the past year. COVID changed the world and the global economy, and the new numbers for 2020 are out, showing Florida's growth compared to the rest of the world. While it may be temporary as other world economies are continuing to rebound from the global pandemic, Florida has moved up two slots from 17th to 15th largest global economy - if Florida were a country. This jump can be attributed to the fact that Florida's economy has recovered more quickly than both the U.S. economy and many countries' economies.  Central Florida’s Visitor Information Center (CFVIC) will host a “Back to School Kick-off” event on Saturday, Aug. 7. This free event will take place from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. The first 400 students will receive a free backpack (child must be present to receive a backpack) and children ages 5 to 12 will receive a free child’s admission ticket to Bok Tower Gardens (while supplies last).
 LEGOLAND® Florida Resort is bringing back the spooky, kooky fun of Brick or Treat in October, followed by the jolliest event of all with Holidays at LEGOLAND in November and December. These can’t-miss annual events are included with theme park admission and select annual passes.
 Polk County Public Schools will host a virtual job fair for teachers this Wednesday, July 14, from 12 - 2 p.m.
Attendees can connect with district recruiters to ask questions and get more information about becoming a teacher. Administrators from more than 20 schools throughout the county will also be available to conduct interviews and make job offers. To register, visit polkschoolsfl.com/jobfair. For more information, contact jobs@polk-fl.net.  On Thursday July 15, The Low Payment Kings’ Mahalak Auto Group are celebrating the Tampa Bay Lightning 2020 and 2021 Stanley Cup Championships. Blake Coleman of the Tampa Bay Lightning has agreed to appear at Posner Park Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM FIAT in Davenport, Florida.
“We are pleased and excited that the public can meet and congratulate a player like Blake Coleman at our dealership, who was part of the Lightning’s two back-to-back CUP wins”, said Ralph Mahalak Jr , co-owner. “You don’t want to miss out on this once in a lifetime experience”, added Mike Mahalak , President of Mahalak Auto Group.  The Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities (HACU) recently designated Polk State College as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) as the College’s Hispanic student population has reached 26 percent and continues to grow.
Additionally, Polk State is now eligible for Title V and HSI STEM federal grant funds that support institutions that enroll large proportions of minority and financially disadvantaged students. The College will apply for these funds through the U.S Department of Education to further support its services to students.  Knowledge is Power, if You’re Plugged In!
As a Tampa Electric customer, we know you don’t have time to think much about your electric utilities. Over here, though, energy innovation is just about all we think about. We want to keep you in the know by bringing you only our most powerful news. Our idea is to launch an email with business energy news called Power Forward, catering exclusively to our valued business customers.  Throughout his life Marc Hutek has always served his country and community. The former United States Army veteran has a resume that spans over 30 years in public education serving as a high school principal, adult education director, a deputy superintendent, and now as CEO of the Early Learning Coalition of Polk County, a non-profit organization that serves over 12,000 children ages birth to 5 years of age. In all of his posts, he remained committed to making sure thousands of students and children have a better life.
Earlier this year his world turned upside down when he was told that he was in complete renal failure and he would need daily dialysis to continue to live. In spite of the grim news he continues to come to work as usual, remaining optimistic even after surviving COVID-19. His commitment to bringing goodness to the world is a constant driving force.  Polk County Public Schools is finalizing plans for the 2021-22 school year and will offer two learning options for students.
The first option will be traditional campus learning with face-to-face instruction. The second option will be Polk Virtual School, the district’s longstanding program that allows students to take online lessons. Students have flexibility in their daily work schedule and may work at an accelerated pace, so time management and self-motivation are essential for success. The deadline to apply for Polk Virtual is July 23. For more information about Polk Virtual and how to enroll, visit pvs.polkschoolsfl.com. Polk State Will Move to Phase III on August 2 with Services and More Classes Returning to Campus7/8/2021  Polk State College will be moving to Phase III of its Return to Campus Plan on Monday, August 2, 2021, with the majority of services returning to campus and more face-to-face class options available for the Fall 2021 Semester, which starts on August 16.
Phase III is a return to traditional operations; however, while all student and academic services will be available on campus, they will also continue to be offered via remote options so that the College may serve all students at their comfortability levels. Polk State President Falconetti inducted as Chair of Florida College System Council of Presidents7/7/2021  Polk State College President Angela Garcia Falconetti was inducted in June as Chair of the Florida College System Council of Presidents for 2021-2022.
The Council of Presidents (COP) is comprised of the presidents of Florida’s 28 public colleges who advise and advocate to state and federal legislators, oversee the coordination of statewide functions such as risk management, and maintain close working relationships with universities, school boards, and more, among other responsibilities that benefit the Florida College System.  Dr. H. Keith Wade, President and CEO of Webber International University has been appointed to the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) Committee on Student Aid.
Representing nearly 1,000 private, not-for-profit colleges and universities, NAICU’s mission is to ensure that student aid programs continue to provide all Americans with access to the college of their choice, promote tax policy that helps families save and pay for college, and help private colleges fulfill their distinctive missions. In advancing NAICU’s efforts to ensure adequate funding for the core student aid programs, the Committee on Student Aid sets NAICU’s policy agenda, including federal funding issues and examination of options available to students for financing their college education.  From left: Lordhija Joseph, Jennyca Moiseau, Morgan Dilorenzo, Shomari Phillips, Taryn Wright, Haley Pittman, Jaquoi Dorsett, Guito Mirtil, Sebastian Merrihew and Chase Walden
 The Achievement Academy Birth to Three program and Milestones Intervention Services (MIS), a subsidiary of RC Enterprise (RCE), have partnered to provide enhanced early intervention to children diagnosed with or are at heightened risk for developmental delays through a landmark new teletherapy program.
As a part of pilot program, MIS donated new technology to Achievement Academy’s Early Intervention Specialists that will be used to assess and provide feedback on MIS’s newly developed teletherapy platform. This platform provides multiple features to make remote therapy provision easier for providers and families and increase access to necessary therapy services. In a joint statement, RCE CEO Stephen Rossiter and Dr. Wendy Bradshaw, the MIS co founders, said, “We are delighted to partner with Achievement Academy to enhance their ability to achieve our shared goal of helping children and families in need of special services.” During this two-day-only special event, families can take part in patriotic LEGO® builds and experience our biggest fireworks shows of the year!
WHEN: Fourth of July Weekend, Saturday, July 3 and Sunday, July 4 WHAT: Celebrate America’s independence over two nights and watch as our annual fireworks show transforms into bursting LEGO® bricks before your eyes. Help create a giant American flag out of thousands of LEGO bricks before the sun goes down or enter the competition build for a chance to win a LEGO prize pack by building a patriotic creation of anything you can imagine!  Polk State College is celebrating the reaffirmation of its accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) which is a testament to the institution’s commitment to quality and integrity as well as its capacity to provide effective programs and services.
This concludes a three-year process of rigorous internal and external peer review and reinforces Polk State’s mission to serve as a quality driven institution that transforms lives through the power of teaching and lifelong learning.  Breaking News: Chamber member Tom Wolf Co and Tampa-based Onicx Development are excited to announce that they are in the advanced stages of discussion and design with Marriott to develop a 130-key Residence Inn in downtown Winter Haven. The location will be at the corner of W Central Avenue and 3rd Street SW.
Onicx is the lead project developer and brings in the experience and expertise of creating catalyst projects in urban centers.  The City of Lakes Wales is considering a project that could potentially double their population. According to the Growthspotter publication, the development will have up to 6,100 homes, 725,000 square feet of commercial, office and assisted living space located off of Thompson Nursery Road running parallel to Hwy 27. The full build-out would be anticipated by 2040. Read below to see the property breakdown.
 Bond Clinic, P.A., is excited to announce the opening of our new Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Facility at the Lakeland Complex led by Dr. Carrie Goddin, PT, DPT.
This new facility is the second physical therapy location for Bond Clinic and marks further expansion into the Lakeland community. With a dedicated team of licensed professional therapists and trainers, new patients are encouraged to contact the site for open availability. Most insurance plans are currently accepted.  At the end of 2021, Julie Farish, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity East Polk County, will be retiring. Julie has been an incredible asset to our community and her work through Habitat for Humanity has made a tremendous difference in Winter Haven and Polk County. We want to thank her for all of her hard work and wish her a happy retirement! Habitat for Humanity will be searching for a new Executive Director. Click here to access the application and job description.
 For six weeks this summer starting June 26, LEGOLAND® Florida Resort is throwing an “AWE-SUMMER” celebration packed with engaging stage shows, special weekend events and surprise “streetmosphere” performances around every corner.
The party runs all summer, June 26 through August 8, at the Theme Park built for kids with returning events, fan-favorite shows and more. Specialty summer treats and beverages like Summer's Own Watermelon Salad with Feta & Mint, Splash of Summer Watermelon Lemonade, and a bedazzled red, white, and blue ice cream cone are the perfectly cool complements to this party-packed season. It’s the return to summer that we’ve all been waiting for this year! |
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