Plus, the history behind Lakeland's street names.
 
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Today’s Forecast

77º | 6% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:31 a.m. | Sunset 7:39 p.m.

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💸 Meet Catapult’s Launch Pitch Night finalists
Lakeland entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses pitch their big ideas at Catapult's Launch Pitch Night for the chance to win up to $10,000 in funding.
Lakeland entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses can pitch their big ideas at Catapult’s Launch Pitch Night for the chance to win up to $10,000 in funding. | Photo by Catapult
Welcome to the tank, Lakeland. Next week, five local entrepreneurs will pitch their businesses for up to $10,000 in micro-grant funding at Catapult Lakeland’s Launch Night.

In this “Shark Tank”-style event, pitching entrepreneurs will have roughly 10 minutes to present their ideas and why they deserve the funding. This round’s finalists represent a broad range of makers — from specialty drinkware to woodworking businesses — who could impress even the Mr. Wonderful.

A collage of five headshots of entrepreneurs including a main with brown hair in a black shirt, a woman with brown hair in a pink blazer, a woman with brown hair in a black shirt, two men with brown hair in a blue t-shirt and green t-shirt, and a man with blonde hair in a gray blazer.

Michael Adkins, Sydney Graybill, Jacqueline Martinez, Tony Orbegoso + Tyler Cummings, and Luke Citarelli are this round’s Launch Pitch Night finalists.

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Photos courtesy of @catapultlkld

  • Infinite Matterz | Founder Michael Adkins transformed his hobby for powder coating into a full-scale business that specializes in applying electrostatic and ceramic coatings to everything from cups to car parts.
    Seeking funds for: An improved powder gun
  • Dual Drinks | Imagine a thermos that can not only hold two separate drinks in it but also allows you to mix them together — that’s Dual Drinks, a one-of-a-kind invention by founder Sydney Graybill.
    Seeking funds for: Manufacturing and tooling equipment
  • Taqueria del Angel | A student at Florida Southern, Jacqueline Martinez is the founder of this pop-up restaurant concept with authentic recipes for Mexican favorites like tacos and taquitos.
    Seeking funds for: A new POS system and booth improvements
  • TNT Industries | Tony Orbegoso + Tyler Cummings founded this commercial and retail woodworking company that focuses on creating beautiful countertops and tables.
    Seeking funds for: A wide belt sander to improve their work capacity
  • Shoe-Renew | Shoe-Renew is a product that extends the longevity of athletes’ tennis shoes by making them more resilient. Founder Luke Citarelli is also a student at FSC.
    Seeking funds for: 3D printing equipment and filament
Want to be in the room where it happens? RSVP to attend the free event, which takes place on Thursday, March 28 at 5:30 p.m. at Catapult.
 
Asked
 
Which business are you rooting for?
A. Infinite Matterz
B. Dual Drinks
C. Taqueria del Angel
D. TNT Industries
E. Shoe-Renew
F. All of them
 
 
Events
 
Wednesday, March 20
  • March Lunch and Learn | Wednesday, March 20 | 12-1 p.m. | COhatch, 211 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Attend this workshop to learn how to enhance your leadership style.
  • Knit One, Crochet Too! | Wednesday, March 20 | 5-6:55 p.m. | Larry R. Jackson Branch Library, 1700 N. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | Bring your current knitting or crocheting project to work and chat with others.
  • “Our American Cousin” | Wednesday, March 20-Thursday, March 21 | 7:30 p.m. | Lakeland Community Theatre, 121 S. Lake Ave., Lakeland | $15 | Local actors will perform the final play Abraham Lincoln ever saw.
Thursday, March 21
  • Art Connects ALZ | Thursday, March 21 | 2-3:30 p.m. | Polk Museum of Art, 800 E. Palmetto St., Lakeland | Free | Individuals in the early stages of dementia and their loved ones can create art together.
  • The Aquarian Market | Thursday, March 21 | 6-9 p.m. | The Yard on Mass, 802 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Shop vegan food + goods and celebrate the market’s one-year anniversary with giveaways.
Friday, March 22
  • Free Breastfeeding Support Group | Friday, March 22 | 9-10 a.m. | United Way Children’s Resource Center, 650 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Learn tips from a lactation facilitator and connect with others at this weekly support group.
  • Friday Night Live | Friday, March 22 | 6-8 p.m. | Munn Park, 201 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free entry | Grab dinner and drinks to-go from a downtown restaurant and head to Munn Park for music by Big Chill.
  • FSC|Dance: Perpetual Motion | Friday, March 22-Sunday, March 24 | Times vary | Branscomb Auditorium at Florida Southern College, 1100 Johnson Ave., Lakeland | $10-$20 | Catch the spring dance performance featuring students and guest artists.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
News Notes
 
Number
  • $17.5 million. That’s how much federal funding Polk County will receive for upcoming projects. $1.5 million will go towards improving Polk’s public radio system, which enables public entities to easily communicate critical information with Lakelanders. (The Ledger)
Traffic
  • A roundabout connecting Bonnet Springs Boulevard, Lemon Street, and West Main Street is expected to be completed ahead of schedule. Despite undergoing a redesign due to inaccurate utility line information, the project is set to be finalized by the end of April instead of July. (LkldNow)
Travel
  • In addition to receiving a new logo, Lakeland Linder International Airport is also taking on a new name — sort of. While the airport’s full name will still be used locally, “Lakeland International Airport” and “LAL” will be used across all official marketing to enhance public familiarity. (LkldNow)
Active
  • Want to push the limits of your workout? Earn Your Stripes (305 W. Main St.) is hosting an open house this Saturday, March 23 with free classes all morning long. Special sessions will also be happening throughout the day, including a coach collab and master class.
Eat
  • Enjoy bites from local Lakeland eateries at Temple Emanuel’s Live Artfully: A Taste of Lakeland fundraiser on Thursday, April 11 at Lake Crago Park. Tickets are $100 and will also include live music, a silent auction, and a surprise wine pull.
Try This
  • Teens interested in law enforcement can now apply for this summer’s LPD High School Police Academy. From July 22-26, participants will learn from Lakeland Police officers about SWAT, crime scene analysis, physical training, and more.
Feel Good
  • Minnesotans received a special delivery from the Sunshine State this week. “The Fruit Truck” made its annual trip north to deliver Plant City strawberries to Minnesota communities. Hundreds of residents lined up for the truck’s first stop in Duluth on Sunday. (Northern News Now)
Concert
  • The band who toured with legendary artist Kenny Rogers for more than 40 years is coming to Camp Margaritaville in Auburndale on Friday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m. In this show, the band will play the songs of Kenny Rogers + share first-hand stories of life on the road.
Plan Ahead
  • Ever wanted to see Prince’s “Purple Rain” or Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” live on stage? Mark your calendar for RP Funding Center’s Classic Albums Live series, returning this summer. Series passes go on sale Monday, April 8 and single tickets go on sale Monday, April 22.
Job
  • Passionate about storytelling + news, and have some serious Orlando pride? ORLtoday (a new daily newsletter celebrating Orlando) is hiring a City Editor to plan, write, edit, and publish the most relevant and engaging daily content about our city. See details + apply.
Edu
Finance
Trending
 
 
History
 
What’s in a (street) name?
Studebakers in downtown Lakeland in the 1920s
Before the Studebaker building housed Bay Street Bistro + Pressed Books and Coffee, it was an auto repair garage and showroom. | Photo via Lakeland Public Library
Ever wonder about the history behind some of Lakeland’s oldest streets? In this guide, we’re sharing about the streets you drive down every day and some of the historic spots that live (or lived) on each one.

Bay Street | In 1925, the Studebaker Building, an auto repair garage and sales showroom, was erected. Today, it houses businesses like Bay Street Bistro + Pressed Books and Coffee.

Edgewood Drive | This road that runs all the way from US Highway 98 to Harden Boulevard originally earned its name for being at the “edge of the woods” — or rather, the edge of the citrus grove — in Lakeland’s original city limits. Fun fact: This road’s first residence recently sold for $560,000. It was last sold in 2002 for $173,000.

George Jenkins Boulevard | This might go without saying, but this road was named after George Jenkins Jr., the man behind popular supermarket chain, Publix.
 
The Buy
 
The Baby Shower Gift Guide. Give the gift of parenthood practicality or highchair high-fashion for the growing family in your life.
 
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The Wrap
 
Amelia Herring.jpg Today’s edition by:
Amelia
From the editor
I’ve always been a huge “Shark Tank” fan, so I love that we do our own version of it in Lakeland with Catapult. Just think: We might get a chance to say we knew that business from the beginning.
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