LakeWalesNews.net - Hometown stories that count from people who care

I like to think of myself as an optimist. This is especially true in this column space, where I share the progress and victories of the Lake Wales Area Economic Development Council. And while the drive for success and forward momentum are important, I'm also a firm believer in the basics. Revisiting the fundamentals that have helped shape our growth can remind us how far we've come and how we've done it.

The EDC considers many factors when determining what will lift the greater Lake Wales area to the next level. What exactly makes a city a great place to live and do business? Is it an excel...