Winter Haven leaders are working towards a sustainable future as the city continues to see unprecedented growth.

Over the last decade, the population of Winter Haven has doubled, with 61,000 now calling it home, according to the Bureau of Economic and Business Research.

I came from South Florida. I can tell you that the quality of life here is so much better, said George Garbalosa.

At the 2025 State of the City Address, leaders shared how they are balancing growth with sustainability.

City Manager T. Michael Stavres said Winter Haven is in a Renaissance period and leaders are focusing on key areas: economic stability, quality of life, infrastructure, environmental stewardship, community safety and responsible government.

The City has made major investments in quality-of-life projects,

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