► Southwest Middle School is slated for a $50 million makeover, with most of the campus being demolished and rebuilt. (Rendering above)
► The Florida Board of Governors has given the green light to a public-private partnership between Florida Polytechnic University and Fortune 500 company International Flavors and Fragrances, a project that could potentially bring the first high-tech industry partner straight to the Lakeland campus.
► Lakeland-based Publix Super Markets signed a lease for its first store in Kentucky at the Terra Crossing shopping center.
► The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce named Monica DiNicolantonio investor engagement manager.
► The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Tampa Bay Women’s Business Centre to offer free business coaching to female entrepreneurs.
► Jared Hill opened Brightway, the Hill Agency’s office location at 2193 Davenport Blvd., in Davenport.
► Dissent Craft Brewing opened its downtown Lakeland location in a 2,000-square-foot storefront at 125 S. Kentucky Ave. next to Pita Pit.
► The Aerospace Center of Excellence appointed Daryl Price as its new executive director.
► Melissa Goodson was promoted to marketing director at the Sun ‘n Fun, an expo space, and AceCampus in Lakeland.
► Noah’s Ark of Central Florida named Mandy Fulton as the organization’s new development director.