Public Affairs Documents 2016 Legislative Agenda | Page 2

2016 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY STATEMENT
EDUCATION ISSUES
HIGHER EDUCATION - POLK COUNTY
The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce
recognizes the important role our colleges and
universities play in assisting the county to produce
college degrees and shrink the educational
attainment gap, thereby advancing the cause of
economic development. Therefore, the Chamber
requests the state’s support of the above
educational institutions in the following areas:
The Chamber supports Polk State College’s request
for $14.5 million in PECO funding to complete
Phase II of the Advanced Technology Center @
Clear Springs. (Polk State College request)

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Vice Chair, Public Policy
Jarvis Kendrick, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union
Committee Members
Mike Bradley, Valencia Hills Health & Rehabilitation Center
Tony Delgado, City of Lakeland
Wendy Dodge, Polk County Public Schools
Peter Elliott, Polk State College
Mike Hickman, Hickman Homes, Inc.
Adil Khan, LASR Investments, LLC
Shane Kunze, Publix Super Markets, Inc.
Patti Loftin, Regions Bank
Bruce Lyon, Winter Haven Economic Development Council
Maria Mahoney, The Mahoney Group, Inc.
Maggie Mariucci, Florida Polytechnic University

The Chamber supports Polk State College’s request
for $1 million in additional, recurring operational
support so that it may continue to offer affordable,
accessible higher education to Polk County
residents. (Polk State College request)

Mike McGee, McGee Auto Service and Tires
Matt Mucci, AT&T
Mattias Perttula, Southeastern University
Trista Otto, Saddle Creek Logistics Services
Michael Spake, Lakeland Regional Health Systems
Sara Roberts, Polk Vision

The Chamber should support Polk State College’s
request for $5.9 million in PECO funding to
renovate and remodel the Learning Resources
Building. (Polk State College request)
The Chamber supports Polk State College’s request
for $16.3 million in PECO funding to renovate and
remodel the Fine Arts Building. (Polk State College
request)

Laura Rodriguez, Lakeland Vision
Julie Townsend, Lakeland Downtown Development Authority
Ashley Troutman, Woodmen of the World
Kimberly Votery, Community Bank of Florida

President
Corydon G. Skeates, Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce

Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce
35 Lake Morton Dr | Lakeland, FL 33801
PO Box 3607 | Lakeland, FL 33802
[phone] | LakelandChamber.com