A planned three-warehouse logistics center at the Polk Parkway and Pace Road is allowed under the county comprehensive plan, the developer’s lawyer argued today, and the Polk Planning Commission agreed in a 7-0 vote. Auburndale and Polk City officials argued the warehouses will inhibit research-park development compatible with nearby Florida Polytechnic University. The issue goes to the Polk County Commission Jan. 8.
The IKEA logistics operation will fill nearly two-thirds of a 520,000-square-foot warehouse under construction off New Tampa Highway near County Line Road. DHL Supply Chain has closed on the $42.5 million warehouse.
The Sarasota-based Business Observer profiles Lakeland’s Coldwell Banker Commercial Saunders Ralston Dantzler, whose business has been transformed by an extensive database of Polk County parcels.
A remodel and rebranding of The Poor Porker at Main Street and Lake Avenue includes upgrades to a former service station that serves as performance venue: a new sound system with outdoor speakers, air conditioning, rustic floor tiles and wall hangings that include a textile tapestry.
A data-driven decision has paid off for a London-based company that built a Lakeland facility devoted to printing scratch-off lottery tickets in 2009. International Game Technology has doubled its local workforce to 300 and added 45,000 square feet to its plant. “Our business is worldwide; we wouldn’t be in Lakeland if it didn’t offer great global access,” said Keith Cash, the IGT veep who runs the Lakeland operation.
Lakeland-based Metrc, whose RFID technology helps regulators in 11 states track the marijuana supply chain, has received $50 million in funding from Tiger Global Management and Snoop Dogg’s cannabis-focused Casa Verde Capital.
LINKS: Metrc | parent company Franwell Inc. | Tiger Global Management | Casa Verde Capital | company background via Cannabis Business Executive
Crothall Healthcare Inc. plans to lay off 70 employees from its plant near I-4 and Kathleen Road Dec. 13, about a year after laying off another 183.
The Lakeland Square location is one of 77 Sears and 65 Kmarts nationwide that will close by the end of the year. Liquidation sales begin soon.
Early in his career, Rob Kincart pioneered in hazmat chemistry and then in regulation compliance. Then he turned that knowledge into a successful business.
