►The Shoppes at Lakeland Square Mall, a 44,375 square-foot multi-tenant neighborhood center anchored by Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, located at 4000 U.S. Highway 98, in Lakeland, was sold to Carrera Family Investments for $7.1 million. (Pictured above)
► Thrive, a provider of next-generation managed services, acquired DSM, a Lakeland-based provider of managed IT services to state, local and education government agencies.
► Polk State College was one of three state institutions awarded $6.5 million to establish civics academies to prepare high school students for careers in government service.
► Burlington Coat Factory will leave its anchor location at Lakeland Square Mall and move to Shoppes of Lakeland.
► Construction of Lakeland Electric’s $155 million power plant, on the eastern shore of Lake Parker began in August.