I know it’s exciting to hear about my adventures in South America, but the LEDC actually let me back in the office to get ready for the Summer Leadership Program 2010! We are so excited for this coming summer’s program we started working on it before 2010 has even started…

Here’s a refresher course on the Lakeland Economic Development Council’s Summer Leadership Program. The LEDC started SLP in 2008 as an program out of YLakeland, a component of the  High-Skill High-Wage initiative. SLP is an 8-week program created for new hires and interns to get to know the City of Lakeland and each other. Each week covers a different aspect of our city ranging from Local Industry to Downtown & The Arts. SLP Participants have the opportunity to tour some of Lakeland’s most exciting locations as well as hear from community leaders. Check out the SLP tab (to the right) to see past years’ websites and learn more…

SLP 2009 Statistics:

41 Total Participants

Average Age: 26
7 Interns
34 Full-time Employees (New Hires)
15 From Lakeland
12 From Other Cities in Florida
12 From Other States
2 International (Russia & Honduras)

16 High-Skill High-Wage Investors

 BrightHouse Networks
Center for Retina & Macular Disease
City of Lakeland
DSM.net
GrayRobinson, P.A.
LEDC
Lakeland Regional Medical Center
The Ledger
Lockheed Martin Shared Services
Polk State College
Polk Works
Publix Super Markets, Inc.
Southern Wine & Spirits
USF Polytechnic
Watson Clinic
WellDyne

28 Total Companies

Bagley Idea Pros
Boring Business Systems
Brighthouse Networks
City of Lakeland
Cleveland Heights Golf Course
Clark, Campbell, Mawhinney & Lancaster, P.A.
Crowe Horwath LLP
DSM.net
Gray Robinson, P.A.
Heacock Insurance
JSK Consulting
Lakeland Regional Medical Center
LRMC Foundation
Lockheed Martin
Marriot Vacation Club International
Peterson & Myers, P.A.
Polk County School Board
Polk State College
Polk Works
Qgiv, Inc.
Rita Staffing
Rodda Construction
Saddle Creek Corporation
Saunders Real Estate
Southern Wine & Spirits
Watson Clinic
WellDyne

And there’s the basics! Right now I am in the process of finalizing our calendar for next year.. any input, questions, concerns? Leave a comment here or email me at seaves@lakelandedc.com – thanks!