►Four of Florida Polytechnic University’s bachelor’s degrees have received accreditation by the Computing and Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, the global accreditor of college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology.
► The National Science Foundation awarded Florida Polytechnic University a $350,000 grant that enables the development of a large-scale Hardware-in-the-Loop simulation facility for connected and autonomous vehicles.
► Palmer Davis, an 18-year member of the city of Lakeland legal staff, was named interim city attorney by the City Commission.
► The Polk Regional Water Cooperative was invited by the Environmental Protection Agency to apply for a federal loan to fund the first two projects in a regional, alternative water supply program, which the PRWC could qualify for as much as $235 million towards capital infrastructure costs.
► Polk Museum Spirits: Ritual and Ceremonial African and Oceanic Art from the Dr. Alan and Linda Rich Collection exhibition opened at the Polk Museum of Art at Florida Southern College and will be on view in the Museum’s Gallery II through January 26, 2020.
► After more than 44 years of dedicated service, Lakeland-based Publix Super Markets’ Atlanta Division Vice President Joe DiBenedetto announced his decision to retire at the end of the year.
► Pirtek Lakeland expanded to a full brick-and-mortar location at 4300 S. Frontage Road, Bays 10-11, Lakeland, after three years as a mobile-only operation.
►Lakeland-based Saunders Ralston Dantzler Real Estate Senior Advisor Carson Futch represented Green Point Research in the purchase of a nursery located in Fort Meade, Florida, which sold for $2,150,000 as a turnkey operation.
► Lockheed Martin has expanded its apprenticeship program to Polk County, offering nearly 1,900 workforce development opportunities in the areas of high school internships, new college hire rotations, mid-career development and technical apprenticeships.
► The Joinery, a soon-to-open food hall and brewery in downtown Lakeland has signed on to have several new food spots including Ava, the Italian-inspired eatery in Tampa’s SoHo district, King State, an independent coffee roaster and microbrewer anchored in Tampa Heights and The Hyppo’s sister brand, Mayday Ice Cream, a St. Augustine-based maker of gourmet ice pops.
