Media Relations
University of South Florida
Polytechnic
3433 Winter Lake Road
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 667-7077
Fax (863) 667-7097
:: Subscribe to eNews
:: Current
News
Archives 2007
:: Fall
2007
:: Summer 2007
:: Spring
2007
Archives 2006
:: Fall 2006
:: Summer 2006
:: Spring
2006
Archives 2005
:: Fall
2005
:: Summer
2005
:: Spring
2005
Archives 2004
:: Fall
2004
:: Summer
2004
:: Spring
2004
Archives 2003
:: Fall
2003
:: Summer
2003
:: Spring
2003
Archives 2002
:: Fall
2002
:: Summer
2002
::
Spring 2002
Archives 2001
:: Fall
2001
|
|
 |
Contact:
Tom Hagerty
(863)
667-7077
POLK CITY,
FL (December 4, 2007) - “We are the past. We are the present. We are the future.”
Emblazoned above the entrance to the Fantasy of Flight conference center, those words greeted participants in the November 30 regional planning summit. And while honoring the past and respecting the present, the group of visionaries placed its focus clearly on the future.
The University of South Florida Lakeland, the Central Florida Development Council and Winter Haven Hospital hosted more than 70 representatives from business, education and government, who met to discuss visions for the future of the region to be anchored by USF’s planned polytechnic campus at the intersection of I-4 and the Polk Parkway.
“As president of Auburndale Chamber-Main Street, I’m delighted USF Lakeland did such a magnificent job facilitating a very productive planning exercise,” said Joel Thomas. “It will pay off in huge benefits for this area as we move forward with growth and development. We had a great group of people representing the agencies and organizations we need to address this region’s development needs.”
The day opened with welcome messages from Dr. Marshall Goodman, VP & CEO of USF Lakeland, and Kermit Weeks, founder and owner of Fantasy of Flight, followed by remarks from Tom Patton, executive director, Central Florida Development Council; Steve Scruggs, executive director, Lakeland Economic Development Council; Robert Green, city manager, Auburndale; and Neal Frazee, vice president, MCSW. During lunch, attendees heard from Tim Center, director, Council for Sustainable Florida.
"Development of the new USF Lakeland campus is critical for the future of this region,” said '' Tom Patton. “We need this campus to stop the brain drain and bring in the types of new jobs that will enhance our quality of life.”
Dr. Marshall Goodman, VP/CEO of USF Lakeland, and Cindy Price, regional manager, TECO, share ideas in a roundtable discussion at the Nov. 30 regional planning summit.
The crux of the day was a series of roundtable discussions on 10 main topics, including academic programs, protection of resources, business recruitment, housing and retail, and government leadership. At each table, a facilitator moderated the discussion while a scribe recorded the flow of ideas.
During the course of the roundtable discussions, seven common themes emerged:
- Change is inevitable. We can be defensive, responsive or proactive.
- A clearly articulated, shared vision, and courageous leadership committed to attainment of the vision, is essential.
- Decision-making must be based on long-term gains rather than short-term popularity.
- County-wide collaboration, communication, commitment and cohesion are essential: one vision, one voice.
- Education and business development must be aimed at attracting, developing and sustaining high skills/high wage jobs.
- Land development must be aimed at growth of smart and green communities that are architecturally and aesthetically pleasing and that balance the best of small community values and intelligent, controlled urbanization.
- The cost of not embracing a paradigm shift is continued loss of revenue, tax base, youth and talent in Polk County.
Video taken at the Regional Planning Summit
Photos taken at the Regional Planning Summit
Complete roundtable notes are available at http://lakeland.usf.edu/Docs/RPSNotes.pdf
To see a summary visit http://lakeland.usf.edu/Docs/RPSSummary.pdf
|
|
