Mark Jackson the Director of Central Florida’s Tourism and Sports Marketing provided a PowerPoint presentation for commissioners

Lake Wales, Florida – Legoland Florida will bring 1000 jobs to Polk County, an estimated 1.4 Million in tax revenue and hopefully 1.5 to 2 million visitors a year. The Park is set open in October of 2011.

Tuesday evening’s commission meeting started off with a look towards the future. Mark Jackson the Director of Central Florida’s Tourism and Sports Marketing provided a PowerPoint presentation for commissioners outlining what Legoland expects to bring to Polk County.

Mr Jackson’s opening was to assure commissioners that Legoland will be here for a long time. The park is owned by Merlin Entertainment is owned by Blackstone Group. Merlin Entertainment is the second largest amusement company in the wold. It is second only to Disney and in some markets is better than Disney. Blackstone Group also owns the Anheuser Busch Theme Parks. “Cash flow will not be an issue as it was for the previous owners of Cypress Gardens” according to Jackson. Currently 4 other Legoland Parks exist in the world (other locations Denmark, Germany, England and California) and Legoland Florida will be the 5^th. A 6^th Legoland is currently planned to open in 2013 in Malaysia.

Legoland will bring 1000 jobs to the community. It will employee approximately 700 people full time and 300 people seasonally. They consider employee’s to be family and jobs should last years.

It’s impact will be felt in hotels, restaurants, shopping and other activities in the Polk County area. People coming to from South Florida will have to pass through Lake Wales to get to Legoland. “Lake Wales has a golden opportunity” said Jackson. People will have to stay somewhere, eat somewhere and shop somewhere.

Legolands expected traffic has prompted Commercial airliner Direct Air to begin providing non-stop jet service between four cities to Lakeland Linder Regional Airport and the following markets beginning June 23rd, 2011: Niagara Falls-Buffalo, New York (serving greater Toronto, Canada); Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Hagerstown, Maryland; and Springfield, Illinois.

According to Jackson it is not too late for city to start getting ready for the possibilities. But the “Gateway” must be appealing to those who visit Lake Wales and Polk County. Better code enforcement along Hwy 27 would be appropriate. Commissioner Thornhill asked if Central Florida’s Tourism and Sports Marketing could evaluate from an outside perspective the entry way’s into and through our city. Commissioner and Mayor-elect Mike Carter asked Economic Development Director Harold Gallup what the city was preparing for Legolands arrival. According to Gallup the city is working with Eagle Ridge Mall, hotels, restaurants and others in the process. However they have been taking input from Legoland Florida and want a unified approach to the marketing.

Over the next few weeks and months the DailyRidge.Com will be providing more information regarding Legoland Florida and the impact on Lake Wales.

Winter Haven, Florida -  Are you looking for a professional career that offers unique and rewarding challenges, excellent benefits, and an opportunity to make a difference?  Consider employment with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office as a Telecommunicator. We are actively searching for highly motivated, self-disciplined individuals, dedicated to performing to the best of their ability.

As a Telecommunicator you will perform public safety communication tasks involving the reception of emergency and non-emergency telephone calls in the Joint Communications Center.  Starting salary $11.84/hour. We are looking forward to a future of rewarding possibilities, and you can too! Contact Civilian Recruiter Amy Parkins 863-298-6216 aparkins@polksheriff.org