This Valentine’s Day, we really have something to celebrate. LALtoday is one and a half years old + we love starting every morning with you.
Here are some of our favorite things about the 863:
- Our city’s name. From the inspiration of 38 lakes, we sure do appreciate Lakeland, in comparison to the proposed alternatives: Redbug, Munnville + Rome City.
- Our city supports public art. Just take a look around town and you’ll find so many cool murals.
- Literally, everyone has their own story about “what Lakeland used to be like.”
- Publix. Need we say more? And we must mention the recent opening of the GreenWise Market across the street from Lake Miriam Plaza.
- Lakeland was included in Inc.’s list of The 50 Best U.S. Cities for Starting a Business in 2020. It’s a dreamland for entrepreneurs.
- Our weather is great year-round for hiking nearby trails, experiencing Florida’s biggest tourist attractions, visiting local parks, trying out Central Florida’s #MustDos, or exploring the state’s waterfalls.
- The Lakeland area has a diverse manufacturing economy – from lottery tickets and cottage cheese to fragrance ingredients and fruit juices – what don’t we make here?!
- There’s always a pup to pet. Swan City is filled with dog-friendly places.
- Non-profit organizations. There’s around a billion of them (that’s a slight overstatement, but you get the picture). Thanks to the community-focused hearts of our citizens.
- The history behind LAL’s iconic streets + buildings.
- Our growth – from The Joinery and The Yard on Mass to Catapult 3.0 and Heritage Plaza (plus more).
- YOU. Our readers. We couldn’t be LALtoday without all 20,000+ of you.
And we’ve got to give a special love note to our Strategic Partners who help make LALtoday possible every day: Lakeland Economic Development Council + Catapult, City of Lakeland, RP Funding Center, Lakeland Electric, Southern Homes, Lakeland Regional Health, Publix Supermarkets, GreenWise Market, and MIDFLORIDA Credit Union.
Happy Valentine’s Day, LALers.
