While the amount of new industrial space in Lakeland has declined from its 2017 peak, leasing activity is steady and there are signs of pent-up demand, according to a Business Observer summary of a report from CoStar, a real estate analytics firm. The CoStar report, available only to subscribers, has this sub-headline: Conn’s HomePlus Distribution Center announcement is the latest success in robust construction pipeline | Conn’s announcement last month

Lakeland-Winter Haven led the nation’s metro areas in the number of bank branch closures, with a 20.6 percent decline between 2008 and 2018, DepositAccounts.com reports. Because of population growth, our per capita loss was also the highest, at 40.2 percent. The article talks about overall reasons that branches are declining (mergers, technology, etc.), but doesn’t dive into specific reasons for Polk closures.