Lakeland Economic Development Council Inc

THE LAKELAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (LEDC) IS A PRIVATE, NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WITH APPROXIMATELY 135+ MEMBER COMPANIES. THE LEDC'S PRIMARY ROLE IS TO HELP CREATE JOBS AND CAPITAL INVESTMENT BY ATTRACTING NEW COMPANIES AS WELL AS FACILITATING THE EXPANSION OF EXISTING COMPANIES IN THE LAKELAND AREA.

AS WE REFLECT ON THE PAST 12, AND REALLY 18 MONTHS, THE LEDC IS PERSONALLY AMAZED AT THE ECONOMIC GROWTH WE HAVE EXPERIENCED DURING A PANDEMIC. I GREW UP WITH QUOTES LIKE "WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, THE TOUGH GET GOING." TODAY I HAVE HEARD QUOTES LIKE, "TOUGH TIMES ARE INEVITABLE IN LIFE AND BUSINESS. BUT HOW YOU COMPOSE YOURSELF DURING THOSE TIMES DEFINES YOUR SPIRIT AND WILL DEFINE YOUR FUTURE." RICHARD BRANSON. LAKELAND, MUCH LIKE THE REST OF THE WORLD, HAS EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT TRAUMA FROM THE PANDEMIC. THIS EXPERIENCE HAS FORCED ALL OF US TO REFLECT ON WHAT REALLY MATTERS IN LIFE, HOW TO BE GRATEFUL FOR WHAT WE HAVE, AND THAT DIFFICULT TIMES DON'T LAST FOREVER. I BELIEVE WE AS CITIZENS, AND AS A COMMUNITY, UNDERSTAND THAT CHANGE IS ALWAYS COMING AT US. IF WE LEAN INTO THAT CHANGE INSTEAD OF RUNNING AWAY FROM IT, WE ARE GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN DESIGNING AND CREATING A COMMUNITY THAT OUR CHILDREN WILL WANT TO LIVE IN AND EXPERIENCE, REGARDLESS OF WHAT LIFE THROWS AT US. NOW, TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO REVIEW WHERE ALL OF US, COLLECTIVELY, HAVE BEEN LEANING IN TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY. -LEDC "MEMBER MEETINGS "INDUSTRY ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPDATES "MEMBERSHIP ENGAGEMENT "FUTURE LEADERS "WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE "BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT UPDATE LEDC STAFF LEDC LOST A VALUED MEMBER OF OUR TEAM IN JANUARY, LUCIA FORERO AS SHE GOT MARRIED AND MOVED TO CALIFORNIA IN 2021. LEDC WILL BE ADDING ITS FIRST SENIOR VP, KATIE WORTHINGTON DECKER IN JANUARY 2022. WE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE SOMEONE WITH KATIE'S BACKGROUND, EXPERIENCE, AND REPUTATION FOR EXCELLENCE JOINING OUR TEAM. KATIE WILL BRING SIGNIFICANT DEPTH TO THE TEAM. LEDC RETREAT LEDC BOARD & STAFF HELD ITS TENTH ANNUAL RETREAT. THE RETREAT AGENDA INCLUDED: "BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT "HISTORICAL CONTEXT "DEVELOPMENT UPDATE "INDUSTRIAL MARKET TRENDS "NON-TRADITIONAL MARKETING "DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT "HISTORICAL CONTEXT "CATALYST PLANS 2.0 "LIVABLE CITIES "CARMEL, INDIANA - SHAWN SHERROUSE "PARTNERS "CITY OF LAKELAND "LDDA "CHAMBER "CFDC "CATAPULT "HIGH SKILL HIGH WAGE "HISTORICAL CONTEXT "CITY VISITS "TALENT RECRUITMENT & RETENTION "ADVENTURING LEDC MEETINGS LEDC'S MEETING FORMAT TOOK PLACE VIA ZOOM FROM JANUARY TO MAY AND THEN TRANSITIONED TO IN-PERSON STARTING WITH CATAPULT'S GRAND OPENING IN AUGUST WITH 600+ IN ATTENDANCE. "INDUSTRY ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPDATES "NOAA HURRICANE HUNTERS "COMPASS BLENDING "CONN'S FURNITURE "LAKELAND OFFICE MARKET AMIDST COVID -19 "LOCKHEED MARTIN - KAREN TURNER "MARRIOTT VACATION CLUB - TRACY WILSON "SUMMIT CONSULTING - CAROL SIPE "COVID - 19 INDUSTRY RESPONSES "LRH - ELAINE THOMPSON "ADVANCED CONCEPT INNOVATIONS - WESLEY BECK "RGF ENVIRONMENTAL - RONY JULIAN "STERIPACK - COLIN DONNELLY "MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN LAKELAND "SURTERRA/LIVE PARALLEL - SHANE WEAVER "POLK COUNTY SCHOOLS NEW LEADERSHIP "POLK COUNTY SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT - FRED HEID "POLK COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD - WILLIAM ALLEN "CATAPULT'S GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION "WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE "EMILY ROGERS CONSULTING - EMILY ROGERS "SEU - SYLVIA BLACKMON ROBERTS "THE LUNZ GROUP - BRAD LUNZ "LOCKHEED MARTIN - KENYA HOLMES "FUTURE LEADERS "20+ FUTURE LEADER BOARD & HIGH SKILL PANEL "ANNUAL MEETING "ASHLEY'S ANNUAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATE "PEOPLE THAT LIVE THERE PANEL NEWSLETTER LEDC VP OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES TO PROVIDE A HIGH-QUALITY ONLINE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER THAT HIGHLIGHTS GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, LEDC MEETINGS, ETC. CATALYST 2.0 LEDC'S BOARD APPROVED AN EXPENDITURE OF 100,000 IN 2022 TO CREATE THE FRAMEWORK FOR A CATALYST 2.0 PLAN. THIS PROPOSED PLAN FOR DOWNTOWN IS TO CREATE A VISUAL REPRESENTATION OF RECENTLY COMPLETED PROJECTS, PROJECTS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION, PLANNED PROJECTS, AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES (RENDERINGS OF FUTURE BUILDINGS, STRUCTURED PARKING ON VACANT OR REDEVELOPMENT SITES, ETC.). OUR ULTIMATE GOAL FOR THE CATALYST 2.0 PLAN FOR DOWNTOWN IS TO SHOW POTENTIAL DEVELOPERS, INVESTORS, AND LAKELAND CITIZENS ACTIVITY IN THE MARKET, WHAT COULD BE DEVELOPED ON SPECIFIC SITES, AND HOW WE MIGHT PROVIDE INFRASTRUCTURE (SPECIFICALLY STRUCTURED PARKING) FOR THOSE PROJECTS. ANOTHER GOAL WOULD BE TO SHOW CITY COMMISSIONERS AND LAKELAND CITIZENS A VISION PLAN THEY CAN INTERACT WITH AND HOPEFULLY SUPPORT. MOST IMPORTANTLY, OUR GOAL WOULD BE TO SUPPORT MAYOR MUTZ'S GOAL OF CREATING A DOWNTOWN WITH 8,500 PEOPLE THAT LIVE AND WORK IN DOWNTOWN LAKELAND. THIS PLAN WILL HELP CREATE BUY-IN FROM THE COMMUNITY, OUR LEADERS, AND FUTURE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPERS AND INVESTORS. MULTI-FAMILY REPORT LEDC STAFF CREATED A REPORT ON MULTI-FAMILY DEVELOPMENT IN LAKELAND. THE STUDY FOCUSED ON THE SHORTAGE OF NEW MULTI- FAMILY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CITY LIMITS OUTSIDE THE CORE IMPROVEMENT AREA. FINDINGS OF THE STUDY INCLUDE: -THERE WERE NO SIGNIFICANT MULTI-FAMILY COMPLEXES (50+ UNITS) BUILT-IN LAKELAND OUTSIDE THE CORE IMPROVEMENT AREA WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS FROM 2013 - 2020 -IMPACT FEE INCREASES HAVE HAD A MAJOR EFFECT ON MULTI-FAMILY DEVELOPMENT IN LAKELAND DURING THAT TIME PERIOD -INCREASES IN EDUCATION IMPACT FEES AND EXTREMELY HIGH PARKS AND RECREATION IMPACT FEES HAVE CREATED A COMPETITIVE DISADVANTAGE FOR LAKELAND THE BENEFITS OF BUILDING NEW MARKET RATE MULTI-FAMILY UNITS INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS BUT OUTSIDE THE CORE IMPROVEMENT AREA INCLUDE: -AD VALOREM TAXES -IMPACT FEES (AT SOME LEVEL) -WORKFORCE HOUSING -DENSITY VS. SPRAWL -MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTS PAY FOR THE SERVICES THEY USE IN THE CITY LEDC'S BOARD SHARED OUR FINDINGS WITH CITY LEADERS (SHAWN, BILL, NICOLE). NICOLE DOES NOT WANT TO ADDRESS OUR CONCERNS AT THIS TIME AND CITED TWO NEW MULTI-FAMILY PROJECTS BEING BUILT IN THE CITY LIMITS OUTSIDE THE CORE IMPROVEMENT AREA AT THE TIME OF OUR MEETING. LEDC BOARD AGREED TO STAND DOWN AT THIS TIME.

D E V E L O P M E N T A C T I V I T Y 2 0 2 1 "1 MILLION SQUARE FEET DEVELOPED "1 ,3 0 0 + N E W J O B S " 2 0 0 M I L L I O N + C A P I T A L I N V E S T M E N T IN ADDITION TO NEW INDUSTRY AND EXISTING INDUSTRY EXPANSIONS, DEVELOPMENT OF SPECULATIVE WAREHOUSES CONTINUED THROUGHOUT 2021. OVER 2.4 MILLION SQUARE FEET BROKE GROUND IN 2021 AND IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION. THESE SPACES ARE IN HIGH DEMAND AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE COMPANIES WHO WILL FILL THEM WITH NEW USERS IN THE COMING MONTHS. NEWSLETTER LEDC VP OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES TO PROVIDE A HIGH QUALITY ONLINE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER THAT HIGHLIGHTS GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, LEDC MEETINGS, ETC.

INCENTIVES INCENTIVES CONTINUE TO BE A BIG PART OF LEDC'S BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY. WE ACTIVELY WORKED ON TWO OF THOSE IN 2020: -MANUFACTURING - THE CITY COMMISSION HAS FUNDED AND IS MOVING FORWARD WITH GUIDELINES FOR THE FORMALLY APPROVED MANUFACTURING INCENTIVE LEDC LOBBIED FOR IN 2019. FUNDING FOR THIS INCENTIVE WILL COME FROM LAKELAND ELECTRIC, WATER AND WASTEWATER DEPARTMENTS, AS WELL AS A SMALL PORTION FROM THE GENERAL FUND. OLAKELAND'S MANUFACTURING INCENTIVE IS BASED ON JOB CREATION AND CAPITAL INVESTMENT BY THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT. THIS INCENTIVE WILL NOT BE A CASH PAYMENT OR TAX ABATEMENT. THIS INCENTIVE WILL ONLY BE USED TO PAY FOR INFRASTRUCTURE RELATED COSTS INCLUDING: "WATER LINE EXTENSIONS OR IMPACT FEES "WASTEWATER LINE EXTENSIONS OR IMPACT FEES "ELECTRIC TRANSFORMERS OR DUAL FEEDS "TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEES, TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND TURN LANES -ATVE - POLK COUNTY'S TAX ABATEMENT INCENTIVE WAS SCHEDULED TO SUNSET IN 2022. POLK COUNTY DECIDED TO PUT THE ISSUE ON THE BALLOT A YEAR BEFORE THE INCENTIVE SUNSET. LEDC AND CFDC COLLABORATED TO SUPPORT THIS BALLOT INITIATIVE WHICH EXTENDS THE LIFE OF THE TAX ABATEMENT MEASURE ANOTHER 10 YEARS. 74% OF POLK COUNTY VOTERS SUPPORTED THIS BALLOT INITIATIVE. PARKING GARAGE LEDC CELEBRATED THE OPENING OF LAKELAND'S FIRST PRIVATE-PUBLIC DOWNTOWN PARKING GARAGE IN DOWNTOWN LAKELAND ON FEBRUARY 3RD. THIS 824-SPACE GARAGE IS A PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPED BY AND FOR ASPYRE PROPERTIES, MIDFLORIDA, LAKELAND REGIONAL HEALTH, AND THE CITY OF LAKELAND. AGAIN, LEDC'S HIGH SKILL INVESTORS WERE KEY IN MAKING THIS A REALITY, LED BY ASPYRE'S WESLEY BECK. CATALYST PLANS DESPITE COVID AND A RECESSION, THE CITY COMMISSION, THANKS IN LARGE PART TO COMMISSIONER MCCARLEY, KEPT 1 MILLION IN THEIR BUDGET FOR INCENTIVES AS PART OF THE CATALYST PLAN. IN ADDITION TO THAT 1 MILLION, CITY COMMISSIONERS AGREED TO GIVE UP TO 250,000 OF CATALYST INCENTIVE DOLLARS TO SUMMIT CONSULTING FOR THEIR NEW 135,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY IN DOWNTOWN LAKELAND. FUTURE LEADERS LEDC AGREED TO CREATE THREE NEW FEEDER GROUPS OF FUTURE LAKELAND LEADERS: -NEW HIGH SKILL MEMBER REPS -NEW LEDC MEMBERS -FUTURE LEADERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS LEDC'S COMMITMENT: -PROVIDE A NON-VOTING POSITION ON LEDC'S BOARD FOR THE FUTURE LEADERS CHAIR -ASHLEY CHEEK, VP OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT WILL STAFF THE FUTURE LEADERS BOARD -LEDC & YLAKELAND WILL PROVIDE CAPITAL FOR PROJECTS, CAMPAIGNS, ETC. -LEDC WILL PROVIDE STAFF AND PROVIDE ADMINISTRATION FOR MONTHLY MEETINGS -LEDC WILL FUND, PLAN AND STAFF FUTURE LEADERS RETREATS LEDC'S GOALS: -IDENTIFY, TRAIN AND MENTOR FUTURE LEDC, CATAPULT, AND EVEN CITY COMMISSION LEADERSHIP -GIVE FUTURE LEADERS ADMINISTRATIVE, FINANCIAL AND INFLUENTIAL RESOURCES TO EXPLORE AND TEST THEIR HOW MIGHT WE QUESTIONS FOR LAKELAND -GIVE FUTURE LEADERS A VOICE AND PLATFORM TO PUBLICLY AND INFLUENTIALLY SHARE AND WORK ON THEIR VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF LAKELAND -GIVE FUTURE LEADERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE THE LAKELAND THEY WANT TO LIVE IN, THEY WANT THEIR CHILDREN TO GROW UP IN AND MOVE BACK TO

MCCARLEY, MCCLEOD, AND MADDEN ALL SUPPORTED THE INITIATIVE. UTILITY DEPOSITS LAKELAND ELECTRIC SENT EMAILS AND BILLS TO SEVERAL LAKELAND ELECTRIC'S LARGEST CUSTOMERS THAT SAID, "A PERIODIC DEPOSIT AUDIT HAS BEEN CONDUCTED AND REVIEWED BY LAKELAND ELECTRIC'S SENIOR LEADERSHIP- AND YOUR CURRENT DEPOSIT NEEDS TO BE INCREASED. FOR SOME OF THE CUSTOMERS, IT WAS 2 OR 3 TIMES THEIR CURRENT DEPOSIT. LEDC MADE INQUIRIES TO LE'S JOEL IVY AND CITY MANAGER SHAWN SHERROUSE. DURING ONE OF OUR MEETINGS, THE MAYOR POINTED OUT THAT LE'S BAD DEBT WAS EXTREMELY LOW, AND HE DIDN'T BELIEVE THERE WAS ANY COMPELLING REASON TO ARBITRARILY INCREASE DEPOSITS. THE CITY EVENTUALLY RETRACTED THE REQUEST. INCENTIVES INCENTIVES CONTINUE TO BE A BIG PART OF LEDC'S BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY. WE ACTIVELY WORKED ON EXTENDING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEE MITIGATION (EDIFM) PROGRAM FOR ANOTHER 5-YEARS. LEDC STAFF PRESENTED AT A CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP ON EDIFM ON OCTOBER 15TH AND HOPE THE COMMISSION VOTES TO KEEP THE PROGRAM INTACT IN EARLY 2022. THE STAFF MADE MULTIPLE RECOMMENDATIONS TO CHANGE THE PROGRAM AT THE WORKSHOP. RP FUNDING LEDC'S BOARD & LAKELAND FIRST MET WITH CITY LEADERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES DURING THE YEAR WITH REGARDS TO CURBING THE LOSSES AT RP FUNDING. WE HAVE ASKED THE CITY MANAGER AND MAYOR TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF BRINGING IN AN OUTSIDE COMPANY TO MANAGE RP WHICH IS COMMON ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THIS CONVERSATION WILL CONTINUE INTO 2022. FUTURE LEADERS LEDC AGREED TO CREATE THREE NEW FEEDER GROUPS OF FUTURE LAKELAND LEADERS: -NEW HIGH SKILL MEMBER REPS -NEW LEDC MEMBERS -FUTURE LEADERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS LEDC'S COMMITMENT: -PROVIDE A NON-VOTING POSITION ON LEDC'S BOARD FOR THE FUTURE LEADERS CHAIR -ASHLEY CHEEK, VP OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT WILL STAFF THE FUTURE LEADERS BOARD -LEDC & YLAKELAND WILL PROVIDE CAPITAL FOR PROJECTS, CAMPAIGNS, ETC. -LEDC WILL PROVIDE STAFF AND PROVIDE ADMINISTRATION FOR MONTHLY MEETINGS -LEDC WILL FUND, PLAN AND STAFF FUTURE LEADERS RETREATS LEDC'S GOALS: -IDENTIFY, TRAIN, AND MENTOR FUTURE LEDC, CATAPULT, AND EVEN CITY COMMISSION LEADERSHIP -GIVE FUTURE LEADERS ADMINISTRATIVE, FINANCIAL, AND INFLUENTIAL RESOURCES TO EXPLORE AND TEST THEIR "HOW MIGHT WE" QUESTIONS FOR LAKELAND -GIVE FUTURE LEADERS A VOICE AND PLATFORM TO PUBLICLY AND INFLUENTIALLY SHARE AND WORK ON THEIR VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF LAKELAND -GIVE FUTURE LEADERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE THE LAKELAND THEY WANT TO LIVE IN, THEY WANT THEIR CHILDREN TO GROW UP IN AND MOVE BACK TO 2021 PROGRESS -FUTURE LEADERS BOARD MEETINGS O2-DAY RETREAT - BROUGHT THEM UP TO SPEED ON THE LEDC, HIGH SKILL INITIATIVES, OUR PARTNERS, ETC. FUTURE LEADERS THEN SELECTED AND RANKED ISSUES THEY WANT TO TACKLE WITH A LIST OF GOALS AND OBJECTIVES, ETC. THEY AGREED TO MEET MONTHLY TO WORK ON THESE ISSUES. OEDUCATION PANEL - DISCUSSED SEGREGATION AND ACCESS ISSUES WITH POLK COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT & LAKELAND LEADS LEADERSHIP AND HOW WE MIGHT ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES: JACKIE BYRD WILLIAM ALLEN KATE WALLACE DAVID HALLOCK OEDUCATION ACADEMY PREP - TOUR AND SIT-DOWN ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION WITH CEO LINCOLN TAMAYO TO DISCUSS "HOW MIGHT WE" SUPPORT THIS EFFORT OCITY GOVERNMENT PANEL - MET WITH OUR ALLIES IN CITY HALL AND ASKED THEM "HOW MIGHT WE" HELP THEM ACHIEVE THEIR VISION FOR CHANGING THE CULTURE AT CITY HALL SARA MCCARLEY NICOLE TRAVIS EMILY COLON OROUNDTABLE WITH THE MAYOR - REVIEWED THE MAYOR'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND GOALS FOR THE FUTURE OENTREPRENEURS & VENTURE CAPITAL PANEL TAMPA BAY VENTURES - MARCUS ADOLFSSON CATAPULT - CHRISTIN STRAWBRIDGE HOOK SECURITY - ZACH EIKENBERRY OHOMELESSNESS - GOSPEL VILLAGE TOUR - BRIAN SEELEY -FUTURE LEADERS HIGH SKILL O2-DAY RETREAT - BROUGHT THEM UP TO SPEED ON THE LEDC, HIGH SKILL INITIATIVES, OUR PARTNERS, ETC. ORETREAT PART II ORETREAT PART III - 2022 PRIORITIES JANUARY - MEET WITH HOMELESS PROVIDERS IN THE DOWNTOWN CORE FEBRUARY - MEET WITH MAYOR, CITY MANAGER, POLICE CHIEF TO DISCUSS THE HOMELESS SITUATION AND HOW IT AFFECTS HOW WE FEEL ABOUT BEING DOWNTOWN & ACTIVATING MUNN PARK MARCH - MEET TO PLAN NEXT STEPS WITH REGARDS TO CREATING A TALENT RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION VIDEO AND PRINTED MATERIALS. THE INTENT IS TO PILOT WITH HIGH SKILL MEMBER COMPANIES, AND IF SUCCESSFUL, TO ROLL IT OUT TO ALL 140 LEDC MEMBERS 2ND QUARTER - CREATE A CALL-TO-ACTION PLAN FOR SUMMER LEADERSHIP PROGRAM GRADUATES 3RD & 4TH QUARTER - ADDRESS THE 30-40 YEAR-OLD FUTURE LEADER GAP IN A MEANINGFUL WAY THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE YLAKELAND SPONSORED A DOCUMENTARY "THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE" THE BRAINCHILD OF LOCAL REAL ESTATE BROKER PAIGE WAGNER AND PRODUCED BY CATAPULT MEMBERS THE COLLECTION MEDIA, CAMPBELL RICE & CONNOR O'BRIEN. THE DOCUMENTARY WAS PREVIEWED AT THE POLK THEATRE IN OCTOBER WITH OVER 1,000 IN ATTENDANCE. THE DOCUMENTARY FOCUSES ON A DIVERSE GROUP OF HOMEOWNERS IN LAKELAND WHO TALK ABOUT WHAT MAKES OUR COMMUNITY SPECIAL AND DIFFERENT. ALTHOUGH THE DOCUMENTARY FOCUSES ON HISTORIC HOMES, THE REAL TAKEAWAY ON WHAT MAKES LAKELAND SPECIAL IS ITS PEOPLE. LEDC WILL SCREEN THIS MOVIE FOR LEDC, CATAPULT & FUTURE LEADERS IN THE 1ST QUARTER OF 2022 AT CATAPULT. LAKELAND FIRST LEDC MEMBERS WHO MAKE UP LAKELAND FIRST CONTINUED TO SUPPORT BUSINESS- FRIENDLY CANDIDATES FOR CITY COMMISSION. LAKELAND FIRST MEMBERS SUPPORTED: -MUTZ - WON A SECOND TERM AS MAYOR WITH 67% OF THE POPULAR VOTE -MCCARLEY - WON A SECOND TERM WITH 63% OF THE POPULAR VOTE -MADDEN - WON A SECOND TERM WITH NO OPPOSITION -MUSICK - WON HIS FIRST FULL TERM WITH 56% OF THE POPULAR VOTE LAKELAND FIRST HAD MULTIPLE MEETINGS IN 2021 WITH COMMISSIONERS MCCARLEY & MUSICK, MAYOR BILL MUTZ, CITY MANAGER SHAWN SHERROUSE, AND POLICE CHIEF RUBEN GARCIA. AGENDAS INCLUDED EVERYTHING FROM ELECTIONS TO BODY CAMERAS TO RP FUNDING LOSSES. LAKELAND LEADS A PROJECT BIRTHED OUT OF THE LEDC, BUT NOT TECHNICALLY AN LEDC PROJECT, LAKELAND LEADS WAS FOUNDED IN JANUARY 2019. LL IS A 501C3 CREATED TO SERVE AS THE VOICE OF BUSINESS FOR LOCAL EDUCATION POLICY AND VISION. LL IS ORGANIZING CITIZENS AROUND VALUES OF MORE CHOICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY, CATALYZING REFORM AT A LOCAL LEVEL. LAKELAND LEADS DEVELOPED A STRONG RELATIONSHIP WITH NEW SUPERINTENDENT FRED HEID. 2021 HAS BEEN A YEAR OF TRANSITION FOR LAKELAND LEADS WITH REGARDS TO CREATING A SUSTAINABLE MODEL FROM A BUDGET, STAFF, AND BOARD PERSPECTIVE. A NUMBER OF ISSUES INCLUDING RECRUITING A PRESIDENT, NEW SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, AND FINDING A HOME FOR IDEA ARE ALL ON THE AGENDA FOR 2022.