SEBRING — The presentation of awards to two businesses and an international trade seminar will highlight the annual Highlands County Business Development Breakfast on Friday, May 23. The breakfast will begin at 7 a.m. at Inn on the Lakes, located at the corner of Golfview Road and U.S. 27., in Sebring. The Highlands County Start-Up Business Of The Year and the Highlands County Small Business Of The Year will be recognized during the event. ...more

May 18, 2008

SEBRING — Florida's Heartland Rural Economic Development Initiative Inc., Hardee County Economic Development Commission and Chamber of Commerce and Highlands County Economic Development Commission are hosting an inbound-trade mission from Honduras on May 22 at South Florida Community College in Wauchula from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. ...more

May 17, 2008

AP Chamber To Hold Awards Banquet AVON PARK — The Avon Park Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual awards banquet Thursday, June 5 at the Avon Park Community Center. The theme for the banquet is "A Hawaiian Luau," which will begin with a social hour at 6 p.m. Dinner will follow at 7. The cost is $35 per person. There will be a silent auction, door prizes and entertainment. ...more

May 17, 2008

A long-awaited Job Corps Center, which aims to provide a steppingstone to troubled teens and young adults, is projected to contribute $7 million annually to the local economy, Pinellas County economic development officials said. ...more

February 21, 2008

Does the new bio-fuel plant they want to build in Venus use magic to turn sweet sorghum into ethanol? According to Bradley Krohn, this proposed plant will discharge "zero waste," make no noise, have no odor, use zero fossil fuels, and won't even discharge effluent from the bathrooms. Beware, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. ...more

February 14, 2008

The Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce annual dinner was held Jan. 25 at the Embassy Suites in Tampa. As guests arrived, the Bloomingdale High School Ambassadors show choir, under the direction of Beverly Sutherland, entertained with a song in the hotel lobby. ...more

February 7, 2008

SEBRING — A Tampa-based bio-fuels refinery company told Highlands County commissioners their proposed $40 million plant in the southern end of the county would be virtually pollution- and problem-free, while providing an economic boon to local farmers. ...more

February 6, 2008

Florida universities are considering layoffs, tightening admissions and raising tuition because of the state's budget crisis. Meanwhile, state leaders are giddy about their $118 million incentive package that lured an outpost lab from the Oregon Health & Science University to Port St. Lucie. ...more

January 27, 2008

SEBRING –– The Highlands County commissioners have decided to appoint a citizens review committee to give them advice on whether to raise, lower, suspend or even replace impact fees as a way to finance infrastructure. But how that committee will be chosen and what special interest groups it will represent remain far from settled. The big divide on how to constitute this committee became apparent at Tuesday's commissioners meeting, when commissioners Barbara Stewart and Guy Maxcy put forth opposing views. ...more

January 23, 2008

SEBRING — The Highlands County commissioners appear likely to appoint a citizens advisory committee that will advise them on whether to raise or lower impact fees. Commissioner Don Bates brought the idea up for discussion for the first time at the commissioners' Tuesday meeting. No action was taken, but the five county commissioners agreed to discuss it again at their next meeting, Jan. 22. ...more

January 16, 2008