City of St. Cloud wins Fla. League of Cities award
The City of St. Cloud’s Economic Gardening program won the Economic Advancement Award from the Florida League of Cities during the recent 2024 Florida Municipal Achievement Awards, city officials have reported.
The Economic Advancement Award “recognizes a program that supports, highlights, or partners with the local community to improve the economic well-being of the city.”
“Economic gardening” is an entrepreneurial approach to economic development that embraces the idea that entrepreneurs drive economies. St. Cloud’s Economic Gardening program included many financial and technical assistance programs for businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and by downtown construction. The program offered $190,000 in grants, technical support, fee waivers and marketplace information for small and mid-size businesses. Among the programs included in the Economic Gardening program were Cloud Cash, utility payment assistance, marketing grants, and a shuttle service during downtown street construction.
“Our Economic Development office has been proactive and intentional about creating programs that not only stabilize, but also help our local businesses flourish, and we are excited to see those efforts lauded by our peers,” said City Manager Veronica Miller.
Wild Florida’s Gator Week Raises $4,000 for scholarship fund
Wild Florida and its visitors raised $4,000 during Gator Week for the Wild Florida Cares Scholarship Fund from May 27 through June 1.
To encourage donations, guests were offered free entry to the Gator Park when scholarship fund. Gator Week featured educational and entertainment offerings like live alligator demonstrations, interactive shows, and airboat rides.
The donations contribute to the Wild Florida Cares Scholarship Fund, which supports Osceola County high school seniors who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, leadership qualities, and a passion for conservation.
“We’re overwhelmed by the support and success of this year’s Gator Week,” said P.J. Brown, Director of Sales at Wild Florida. “Our team appreciates the chance to invest in our future generation through our Wild Florida Cares Scholarship and help assist high school seniors achieve their educational goals.”
The Wild Florida Cares Scholarship Fund is part of Wild Florida Cares, a nonprofit organization launched by Wild Florida to enrich local communities and safeguard the diverse wildlife symbolic of Florida’s natural beauty.
