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familydestinationsguide.com

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Locals Are Quietly Moving To This Sleepy Florida Town Where Rent Still Starts Around $800

There’s a town in the middle of Florida where the rent is still reasonable, the bowling alley is still open, and nobody is in a particular hurry to do anything. That town is Wauchula, and if you haven’t heard of it yet, you’re about to understand why a growing number of people are quietly packing their things and heading to Hardee County.

Wauchula, FL · 2d
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WINKNEWS.com

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From bargain to disaster: Temu tool blamed for Punta Gorda home collapse

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (WINK) — A Punta Gorda homeowner is living out of an RV on his property after an attempt to raise his manufactured home ended in structural destruction, an accident he blames on hardware purchased from e-commerce giant Temu. Brian Wittenberg said his life changed instantly on...

Punta Gorda, FL · 1d
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Main Street Dollars

partner publisher · 35.5K followers
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Homeowners 65 and older in Polk County, Fla., DeSoto County, Miss., and Boston have March 1 and April 1 deadlines to claim 2027 senior property tax exemptions

Homeowners 65 and older in Polk County, Florida, DeSoto County, Mississippi, and Boston can cut their 2027 property tax bills with senior exemptions, but each program has a filing cutoff. Florida’s Polk County wants paperwork by March 1, while DeSoto County and Boston close their windows April 1. The Florida break can take up to […]

Polk County, FL · 4d

The Citrus Tea News

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Frostproof Council Denies 48-Acre Rezoning On North Scenic Highway After Residents Object

Frostproof's City Council denied a land use change and rezoning for 48.47 acres off North Scenic Highway on a 4-1 vote, with Mayor Michael Hutto dissenting. The post Frostproof Council Denies 48-Acre Rezoning On North Scenic Highway After Residents Object first appeared on The Citrus Tea News and was written by Becky McLachlan . The Citrus Tea News covers Polk County, Florida. Truly Local News. Truly Polk County. thecitrustea.com

Frostproof, FL · 3d

Tampa Bay Times

partner publisher · 139.5K followers

Whole Foods is coming to Bradenton. Here are 5 things to know

Whole Foods Market is preparing to open its first Manatee County location at the Marketplace at Heritage Harbour in Bradenton. Here are five things to know before the doors open.

Bradenton, FL · 4d

fox13news.com

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Voters approve property tax increase in Polk County

A major boost is coming to Polk County classrooms after voters approved a property tax increase Tuesday to fund teacher retention, school safety and core student programs. FOX 13's Carla Bayron reports.

Polk County, FL · 1d

toystoragenation.com

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Entrepreneur Plans $22-Million Indoor Sarasota Boat Storage Facility to Meet Growing Gulf Coast Demand

Sarasota boat storage facility is in the planning phase to accommodate growing demand for secure storage solutions along Florida’s Gulf Coast. The Sarasota-Manatee (Florida) region’s booming boating community may soon have a new solution to one of its biggest challenges: finding secure, convenient boat storage. Entrepreneur Brian McCarthy, an 81-year-old Navy veteran, Harvard MBA graduate and successful businessman, is pursuing plans for a major indoor boat and RV storage development in Sarasota that aims to address the area’s growing shortage of storage options for recreational vehicles and watercraft.

Sarasota, FL · 3d

The Ledger

partner publisher · 23.7K followers

Data center planned for existing warehouse in Auburndale | Exclusive

(This article was revised to include comment from the CEO of the Central Florida Development Council.) Another data center is planned for Polk County, and the developers hope to avoid the fervent opposition that greeted a proposed facility in Fort Meade . Hillwood Development Company filed an application on Nov. 4 for a building permit on the Auburndale Technology Center, which will occupy two existing buildings at 810 Pace Road. The 75-acre site lies within the Central Florida Innovation District surrounding Florida Polytechnic University. The two buildings, totaling about 500,000 square feet, have been vacant since construction finished last year. The property, just east of the Polk Parkway, lies within Auburndale’s city limits. “This was the right place, the right location, the right scale for this kind of a project,” said Charles Korrell, senior vice president for Texas-based Hillwood Development Company. “There aren't many of those around the country, and there are plenty of large greenfield developments. You see them all over West Texas. You’re seeing them here in Florida, seeing them all over the country. Not much industrial space is appropriate or available for this kind of development.” Pace Road DC Development Company, a subsidiary company, bought the property

Auburndale, FL · 1d

tbbwmag.com

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Tampa Bay furniture giant Kane’s acquired by private equity firm

Pinellas Park-based Kane’s Furniture, a longtime Tampa Bay retailer with nearly 80 years of history and more than 1 million square feet of showroom space across Florida, has been acquired by Massachusetts private equity firm Onyx Partners Ltd. The acquisition covers 18 retail properties across Florida, with Onyx closing...

Tampa Bay Area, FL · 2d

Bay News 9

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Property tax cut raises concerns for Lakeland Community Theatre

LAKELAND, Fla. — Concerns are growing for Lakeland Community Theatre as Amendment 3 could affect funding for the historic building the nonprofit calls home. Florida voters approved Amendment 3 on Tuesday, increasing the homestead exemption for average homeowners. The change is expected to provide residents property tax relief, but Lakeland officials estimate it could reduce the city’s general fund revenue by about $12.5 million over the next two years.

Lakeland, FL · 8h

stpetecatalyst.com

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Ohio retailer acquires Tampa Bay Spas

For Watson’s president and CEO Erik Mueller, investing in the Tampa Bay region made sense. The Ohio-based home recreation product retailer has acquired Tampa Bay Spas. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. With the purchase, Watson’s is now overseeing three locations in Tampa, Lakeland and Brandon. The...

Lakeland, FL · 2d

Lakeland Gazette

publisher · 24.7K followers

New Auburndale Data Center Site Targets 40 MW at Recker Highway

Hillwood Development Company filed an application for a building permit for a planned data center in two existing buildings on 75 acres in Auburndale. A widespread initiative is converting an existing warehouse into a data center directly in Auburndale. Instead, data center and high-intensity industrial interest in and around Auburndale...

Auburndale, FL · 1d

The Ledger

partner publisher · 23.7K followers

Geico plans permanent layoffs for 114 in Florida starting Dec. 31

(This article was revised to clarify the locations of the workers and correct the number of current regional locations for Geico.) More than 114 remote employees in Florida who report to Geico's Lakeland office will begin losing their jobs by the end of the year, according to a WARN notice the company sent to the Florida Department of Commerce. The anticipated mass layoff will affect "remote employees who report into the Lakeland office in its Staff Counsel, Florida PIP organization," the notice said. Geico expects the layoffs to begin on or about Dec. 31. The layoffs will affect employees in Florida but will not affect any Lakeland residents, according to a Nov. 5 email from Geico's corporate communications. Florida's recent tort reform led to the layoffs. "The legal system reforms enacted in Florida in 2023 have significantly reduced litigation volume in the state, contributing to a more stable insurance market and real savings for our customers," said Ross Feinstein, lead external communications for Geico. "As that litigation has declined, we have adjusted our Staff Counsel operations accordingly, with a focus on identifying potential opportunities for our people across the company.” The job losses are expected to occur in stages, between

Lakeland, FL · 1d

Lakeland Gazette

publisher · 24.7K followers

Trader Joe’s looking at Lakeland for possible 2030 Development

As of right now, Trader Joe’s has not announced any official plans, leases, or store developments targeting Lakeland, Florida. But unofficial chatter is making the rounds. The popular grocery chain typically keeps its real estate expansion plans tightly under wraps until leases are finalized or official “Coming Soon” announcements are posted on their website. They continue to grow their Florida footprint—with recent and upcoming expansions in regions like Orlando, Sarasota, and South Florida.

Lakeland, FL · 1d

wengradio.com

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Toys R Us Is Open at Ellenton Premium Outlets: Hours, Location and What to Know Before You Go

Toys R Us has opened a standalone store at Ellenton Premium Outlets at 5461 Factory Shops Boulevard, giving families across Manatee and Sarasota counties a dedicated toy destination just ahead of the holiday season. The store follows the outlet’s regular hours: Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.

Sarasota County, FL · 2d

hoodline.com

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Florence Villa Garden Could Yield 2,800 Pounds of Produce a Year, Backers Say

A community garden taking shape in Winter Haven's Florence Villa neighborhood aims to improve access to fresh produce. Organizers say families can struggle to afford healthy food. Volunteers began tilling the soil and installing the first section of fencing in August, and the site already includes a little free pantry stocked with non-perishable food that stays open around the clock.

Winter Haven, FL · 1d

The Citrus Tea News

publisher · 149 followers

Bartow City Commission Nov. 2: Lakeland Electric Franchise for Wind Meadows South Advances as $24.5 Million in Water Loans Move Forward

The Bartow City Commission advanced a Lakeland Electric franchise for Wind Meadows South and approved plans tied to $24.5 million in state water loans. The post Bartow City Commission Nov. 2: Lakeland Electric Franchise for Wind Meadows South Advances as $24.5 Million in Water Loans Move Forward first appeared on The Citrus Tea News and was written by Steven Steiner . The Citrus Tea News covers Polk County, Florida. Truly Local News. Truly Polk County. thecitrustea.com

Bartow, FL · 1d

Climate Crisis 247

partner publisher · 15.4K followers

Florida Real Estate Prices Move In The Wrong Direction

Florida · 1d

pasconewsonline.com

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Student-Run Suncoast Credit Union Branch Opens at Kirkland Ranch Academy in Wesley Chapel

WESLEY CHAPEL — Students at Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation have a new opportunity to gain real-world banking experience through a student-run Suncoast Credit Union branch on campus. The branch, established through a partnership with Suncoast Credit Union, gives students hands-on experience with financial transactions, customer service and workplace...

Wesley Chapel, FL · 2d