5A IDENTIFYING LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES

1) Toojay's Deli closes its Lakeland location after four years.

2)https://www.theledger.com/news/20190107/toojays-deli-closes-its-lakeland-location-after-4-years

3)  The West-palm based company now has 27 locations across Florida, but the Lakeland branch closed.

4) The problem is presumably that it was not doing enough business.

5) The owners had the problem, but so did the employees, who were offered jobs at other locations.  This is a good gesture but commute could be a struggle.  Loyal Lakeland customers now have a problem too.

1) City Grant to boost production at Swan Brewing.

2)https://www.theledger.com/news/20190103/city-grant-to-boost-production-at-swan-brewing

3)  Swan City Brewing in Lakeland got so popular so fast that demand exceeded their production capacity so they have received a special grant from the city to get new equipment.

4)  The problem is that they didn't have the production capacity to keep up with demand.

5) The owners, customers, and others in the community who potentially wanted beer at their businesses had the problem.  It's a good problem to have fro Swan City, and it seems that the problem is being rectified.

1) Winter Haven restaurateur to cook up special feast using local ingredients

2)https://www.theledger.com/news/20190102/winter-haven-restaurateur-to-cook-up-special-feast-using-local-ingredients

3)  The owner of a Winter Haven Argentinian restaurant is preparing a community meal using local ingredients and classic Argentine methods.

4)  The problem is that in modern society, people don't gather for meals frequently enough, especially meals prepared using real, local ingredients.

5)  It's limited to 150 people, so anyone past that number that wants a ticket has the problem.  Disconnected members of modern society that miss out on quality time over meals have the problem, too.

1) Lakeland invites public to bloc party with free dinner

2) https://www.theledger.com/news/20190102/lakeland-invites-public-to-block-party-with-free-dinner

3) The lakleand Chamber of Commerce is doing a Longest Table event which is a free, community bloc party and meal.  The idea is to build and strengthen bonds in the community.

4)  The problem is that it is hard to organize an event to feed 1,000 people for free.  Companies will have to provide their services pro bono.

5) Restaurant management as well as city employees organizing the event will have the problems.

1) Starbucks moving to Southgate Shopping Center

2)https://www.theledger.com/news/20190107/starbucks-moving-to-southgate-shopping-center

3) A Starbucks in Lakeland, Florida is moving to a new location.  It will be completed by April and will open soon after.

4)  The problem is that it is moving closer to several local coffee shops.

5) The owners of the local shops have the problem.  It's the classic "big Business" choking out mom and pop stores issue.