Alert Osceola Archives - Positively Osceola

Grace Kline’s Expressive Portraits Featured at St. Cloud Library Through Osceola Arts’ Art in Public Places Program

riverrat — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 15:16:38 +0000

Osceola Arts is shining a spotlight on local talent with its latest Art in Public Places exhibition, now featuring the expressive and thoughtful works of artist Grace Kline at the St. Cloud Library.

On view through July 25, Kline’s exhibit brings her lifelong passion for art to the public, showcasing her journey from creating paper dolls for her teachers as a child to mastering portraiture as her preferred medium. Her pieces reflect an artist who finds joy in bringing faces to life through the strokes of her brush.

Kline’s artistic journey has been marked by a commitment to growth and learning. She studied at the Windermere Art Gallery and received a year of private instruction from a prolific watercolorist. Over the years, she has expanded her skills through workshops in oil, pastel, and watercolor painting, participating in juried art shows and developing a signature style that captures emotion and personality in every portrait.

Visitors to the St. Cloud Library, located at 810 13th Street, can experience Kline’s work during regular library hours through July 25. The exhibition is part of Osceola Arts’ Art in Public Places initiative, which places local artwork in public libraries and Kissimmee City Hall, enriching the community with vibrant, accessible art experiences.

Artists interested in exhibiting their work through the Art in Public Places program are encouraged to apply at www.osceolaarts.org/art-in-public-places.

This exhibition continues Osceola Arts’ mission to promote cultural enrichment and creative expression throughout Osceola County.

The post Grace Kline’s Expressive Portraits Featured at St. Cloud Library Through Osceola Arts’ Art in Public Places Program appeared first on Positively Osceola.

Hurricane Season has Started: NOAA Predicts Active Season with Up to 5 Major Storms — Are You Prepared?

riverrat — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 09:19:29 +0000

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season officially begins today, June 1 and runs through November 30. This period marks the time when tropical cyclones are most likely to form in the Atlantic Ocean.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts an above-normal hurricane season for 2025. The forecast includes:

13 to 19 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher
6 to 10 hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher
3 to 5 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4, or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher)

This outlook is influenced by factors such as warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic and ENSO-neutral conditions, which neither suppress nor enhance hurricane a ctivity.

2025 Atlantic Hurricane Names

The World Meteorological Organization has designated the following names for storms in the Atlantic basin for 2025:

Andrea
Barry
Chantal
Dexter
Erin
Fernand
Gabrielle
Humberto
Imelda
Jerry
Karen
Lorenzo
Melissa

Nestor
Olga
Pablo
Rebekah
Sebastien
Tanya
Van
Wendy

These names are part of a rotating list used every six years, with names retired if a storm is particularly deadly or costly.

Importance of Preparedness

Given the forecast for an active season, residents in hurricane-prone areas, including Osceola County, should take proactive steps to prepare:

Home Inspections: Ensure your home can withstand hurricane conditions. Trusted local inspectors like Tommy Joynes from Buy Your Side Home Inspections offer comprehensive evaluations to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.
Flood Insurance: Standard homeowners’ insurance policies typically do not cover flood damage. Consider purchasing flood insurance to protect your property from potential flooding.
Emergency Kits: Assemble a kit with essentials such as non-perishable food, water, medications, flashlights, batteries, and important documents.
Evacuation Plans: Know your evacuation routes and have a plan in place for where to go if an evacuation is ordered.
Stay Informed: Monitor local news and weather updates. The Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) provides a free, bilingual Hurricane Handbook with valuable information on storm preparedness. It can be accessed at https://kua.com/storm/.

By taking these steps, you can help ensure the safety and security of yourself and your loved ones during the hurricane season.

The post Hurricane Season has Started: NOAA Predicts Active Season with Up to 5 Major Storms — Are You Prepared? appeared first on Positively Osceola.

Stay Alert with Alert Osceola as 2025 Hurricane Season Officially Begins

riverrat — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 11:33:08 +0000

Today, June 1, marks the official start of the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season, and Osceola County officials are urging residents to sign up for Alert Osceola—the county’s official emergency notification system designed to keep the community informed and safe during severe weather and emergencies.

With the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasting an above-normal hurricane season—including up to 19 named storms and as many as 5 major hurricanes—Alert Osceola is one of the most effective tools to receive real-time updates on severe weather, evacuation notices, shelter openings, road closures, and other critical emergency alerts.

To register for Alert Osceola, visit www.alertosceola.org or text “alertosceola” to 888777.

Osceola County Preparedness and Resources

Osceola County’s Office of Emergency Management has taken significant steps in preparing for the season, including response training, interagency coordination, and public outreach to ensure the community is informed and storm-ready.

The City of Kissimmee’s Command and Control Center also remains a vital resource, serving as a central hub for monitoring storms and coordinating emergency response across the region.

Hurricane Season Forecast

NOAA’s forecast for the 2025 hurricane season includes:

13 to 19 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher)
6 to 10 hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher)
3 to 5 major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher; winds of 111 mph or more)

Above-average ocean temperatures and favorable atmospheric conditions are key factors behind this elevated outlook.

Essential Preparedness Tips

Residents are encouraged to take action now to ensure they are ready before a storm approaches:

Sign up for Alert Osceola for instant emergency alerts
Prepare a hurricane supply kit with food, water, medications, and essentials
Review your evacuation plan and know where local shelters are located
Secure your home against high winds and flooding
Stay informed through local updates, weather reports, and trusted resources

Additional Resources

For a comprehensive guide to storm preparation, residents can also access Kissimmee Utility Authority’s (KUA) Hurricane Preparedness Guide at kua.com/storm. The guide offers valuable information on building an emergency kit, power outage safety, storm terminology, and more.

Don’t Wait — Stay Alert, Stay Safe

Being prepared and staying informed are the keys to safety during hurricane season. Signing up for Alert Osceola and utilizing trusted resources like KUA’s Hurricane Guide can make all the difference when storms threaten our community.

For more information, visit:

The post Stay Alert with Alert Osceola as 2025 Hurricane Season Officially Begins appeared first on Positively Osceola.

81st Osceola County Fair to Offer Sensory-Friendly Accommodations for Guests with Sensory Differences

riverrat — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 16:58:31 +0000

The highly anticipated 81st Osceola County Fair is set to open its gates on Friday, February 14, 2025, at 5 p.m., welcoming thousands of visitors to experience the vibrant rides, games, entertainment, and agricultural exhibits through Sunday, February 23, 2025. This year, the Fair is enhancing its commitment to accessibility by offering sensory-friendly accommodations to ensure all guests, including those with sensory processing differences, can enjoy the festivities comfortably.

In partnership with Orlando Health, the Fair’s event center will feature an indoor sensory-friendly room, providing a calm and quiet space for individuals who may feel overwhelmed by the bustling fair atmosphere. This room is designed to offer a peaceful retreat where guests can decompress, recharge, and continue enjoying their day at the Fair. Additionally, a mother/baby room will be available for nursing mothers and young children, ensuring a private and comfortable environment for families.

Fair organizers understand that the lively environment, filled with bright lights, loud noises, and large crowds, can be challenging for individuals with sensory sensitivities. To help mitigate these challenges, guests with sensory processing differences are encouraged to visit the Fair on Mondays and Wednesdays, traditionally less crowded days, and to arrive early before the peak crowds.

While Strates Shows, the company managing the Fair’s rides and games, does not currently offer designated reduced-sensory rides, the Fair is committed to providing inclusive experiences and continues to explore additional accessibility options for future events.

The inclusion of sensory-friendly spaces at the Osceola County Fair underscores the importance of creating welcoming environments for all guests. These accommodations ensure that families with sensory sensitivities can participate fully in the Fair’s activities while having access to supportive spaces when needed.

The Osceola County Fair, held at Osceola Heritage Park, is one of the region’s most celebrated annual events, offering something for everyone—from thrilling rides and delicious fair food to live entertainment and educational agricultural exhibits. With the addition of sensory-friendly options, the Fair is taking another step forward in making sure every guest feels supported and included.

For more information about the 81st Osceola County Fair, including event schedules, ticket prices, and accessibility accommodations, visit OsceolaCountyFair.com, or contact the Fair’s office directly at 321-697-3050.

The post 81st Osceola County Fair to Offer Sensory-Friendly Accommodations for Guests with Sensory Differences appeared first on Positively Osceola.

Stay Safe and Informed with Alert Osceola as Hurricane Milton Approaches Central Florida

riverrat — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 08:07:53 +0000

As Hurricane Milton moves closer to Osceola County and Central Florida, staying informed through Alert Osceola is essential. Osceola County Commissioners, Peggy Choudhry District 1, Viviana Janer District 2, Brandon Arrington District 3, Cheryl Grieb District 4, and Ricky Booth District 5, are encouraging residents and visitors to stay informed and connected by signing up for Alert Osceola. This Emergency Alert Program ensures you receive critical information quickly and directly, keeping you updated on severe weather, road closures, missing persons, evacuations, and other community emergencies.

By registering for Alert Osceola, you can tailor how and where you receive time-sensitive notifications. Options include receiving alerts via your home, mobile, or business phone, as well as email, text messages, and more. This flexibility ensures you stay informed whether you’re at home, work, or on the go.

Additionally, subscribers can opt-in to receive general community updates from Osceola County Commissioners and adjust account features as needed, ensuring you only get the information most relevant to you.

How to Register for Alert Osceola

To sign up for Alert Osceola and receive emergency alerts:

Visit Alert Osceola’s Registration Page
Follow the prompts to create an account, providing your contact and location information.
Choose how you want to receive alerts, including phone, text, and email options.

You can also text AlertOsceola to 888777 for quick registration and updates on local emergencies.

For more details on Alert Osceola, visit the Osceola Emergency Management website.

You can also make sure that your severe storm preparation is thorough and current by downloading KUA’s 2024 Hurricane Handbook.

The post Stay Safe and Informed with Alert Osceola as Hurricane Milton Approaches Central Florida appeared first on Positively Osceola.

Poinciana High School Graduate Creates a Solid Base at Valencia College and Beyond Thanks to Osceola Prosper

riverrat — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 10:53:44 +0000

— by Larry Hall, Valencia College

Kyle Scharfenberg has known what he wanted to be for years; he just didn’t know how he was going to make it happen.

The Poinciana High School graduate already had a history in carpentry and a love of welding, so after high school, he didn’t want to waste any time beginning his training for his dream career. Thanks to the Osceola Prosper program, he is already in the driver’s seat to his future.

The son and grandson of carpenters, Scharfenberg was always interested in skilled trades. His interest in welding began when one of Valencia’s first welding instructors visited Scharfenberg’s middle school. “I was walking around and there was a welding booth for Valencia. My father knew the instructor from Disney, so they started talking and then I was invited to weld,” Scharfenberg said. “The instructor was surprised I could weld so well for my first time. That sparked my interest.”

That spark turned into a flame before he even began the Accelerated Skills Training program. “I’ve done a little bit of short-circuit mig (welding),” says Scharfenberg. “I actually taught a course in the Boy Scouts. The instructor sadly passed away two weeks before the program was to start, and I was supposed to be helping him out.”

Scharfenberg, 17 at the time, was asked if he could teach the class and he jumped at the opportunity. “I taught the kids some of the basics of how to weld.”

Scharfenberg earned six nationally recognized certifications and was named the student speaker at the department’s manufacturing programs graduation.

Now, Scharfenberg is chasing his dreams. While he was taking classes in the 28-week welding program, he was also taking classes so he can earn an Associate in Science degree in Supervision and Management for Industry. Those classes are paid for by Osceola Prosper, a scholarship program funded by Osceola County which guarantees that every Osceola County high school graduate of the class of 2022 and 2023 will receive a full scholarship for a two-year degree at Valencia College, or short-term training at Valencia College or Osceola Technical College (oTech).

While juggling his classes, Scharfenberg also works part time at Publix. If not for Osceola Prosper, he would have had to work full-time – and that, he says, would have delayed the launch of his career.

“If funding wasn’t available, I would have worked as many hours as I could to save up and put money toward this program. Right now, I work Friday through Sunday and I pick up shifts throughout the week when I can. I still have to pay for gas, food and bills so all of that money I’m earning goes straight to that.”

Thanks to the grants and scholarships that have enabled him to take both a degree program and the welding class simultaneously, Scharfenberg is focused on learning and taking advantage of the opportunity. The welding course has also allowed him to explore his creative side, as he worked on a bike rack designed by an Osceola County high school student. That bike rack has been installed on the St. Cloud waterfront and, at the dedication, Kyle made a speech in front of county officials.

“I did most of the fabrication for that bike rack, including the frog sitting on a little flower. I also built an orchid (out of metal) for my girlfriend’s mom,” he said.

Scharfenberg enjoyed showing off his artistic side in the welding program, and created a flower for his girlfriend’s mom.

Everything is falling into place for Scharfenberg, whose goals are coming into focus and the guidance he has received from the welding program instructors is a big reason why.

“I was very happy to have Juan Ayala, Tyson Goodwin and Danny Nunez here. They all taught me stuff that I really needed to learn, even self-motivation. I was a bad student in high school and middle school; test taking was not my strong suit. They taught me that I have to strive for this. Someone is paying for me to go here, so use the money wisely and go all in,” Scharfenberg said. “You have a lot of structure here. There are also a lot of people setting up tours of businesses and helping us find jobs, they give references and guide you even after this program ends. Juan and the other instructors stay in touch with their students and that is really beneficial.”

Today, Scharfenberg’s future is taking shape. He has graduated from the welding program and was named the manufacturing graduation student speaker. Scharfenberg also became the first welding student to earn six nationally recognized certifications. That included the 6G pipe certification, which is not only the toughest to pass, but isn’t typically included in the welding technology program curriculum. He is continuing his education at Valencia College as he works toward his A.S. degree, but he is also excited to begin his career in welding.

The passion was always there and now the opportunity is too, thanks to Osceola Prosper and he is taking more than knowledge away from it all.

“This program has taught me is self-motivation, self-pride and to get your butt in gear.”

The post Poinciana High School Graduate Creates a Solid Base at Valencia College and Beyond Thanks to Osceola Prosper appeared first on Positively Osceola.

Poinciana Eagles Outlook: Coach Beeken Says Transfer High Should Be Called Homecoming High

riverrat — Thu, 24 Aug 2023 12:05:59 +0000

By: J Daniel Pearson

Last year several outstanding football players transferred to Poinciana High, including Perry Garrett and Donald Cummings. Those athletes played a major role in the Eagles recording an 8-2 record – a school record for wins and just the second winning record in the two-plus decades since the school opened.

Head Coach Randy Beeken will be counting on several more incoming transfers in 2023, as the Eagles look to duplicate or exceed last year’s win total. Yet the fifth-year coach doesn’t consider the influx of talent as transfers but rather a homecoming.

“Over the years, particularly before the current staff arrived, we had a lot of great athletes leave the school for winning programs. A lot of the guys now transferring in were originally zoned to go to school here in the first place. I consider these guys as coming home and not transferring in.”

One of those players originally zoned for Poinciana is junior Cameron Brown, who is expected to take over at quarterback for graduated senior De’Kwan Bradley. Brown played his freshman season at Osceola, before transferring to Cypress Creek where he went 7-3 as a starter.

He will have a talented bevy of wide receivers and running backs at his disposal as he takes over the Poinciana offense. Those players include Osceola transfer and senior Akeem Knox, who will be the featured running back this year after playing behind Kowboys superstar Taevion Swint. Ernest Nunn (WR), Jaeden Gerard (WR), Wil Nezius (RB), Nathaniel Jeanninton (WR-transfer) and Amir Alli (WR-Transfer) are all explosive players who will contribute to the Eagles offense in 2023.

“We had our best season last year and a lot of it had to do with our seniors like Bradley, Garrett, Cummings, and Mike Centeno,” Beeken said. “But I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t say I wasn’t more excited about the players we have in camp right now. This is the most talented roster, especially on offense, since I have been here and most likely the best in school history.”

Defensively, the Eagles are talented but perhaps a little thin in the depth category. Linebacker Noah Otero is a four-year starter and the heart and soul of the Eagles defense. Bowser and Nunn are two-way stars that will shore up the defensive backfield; while Taurence Boland and Jason Batista are edge rushers who are coming off good seasons.

“Our depth on the offensive and defensive lines is my biggest concern entering the season,” Beeken says. “Our starters are solid, but right now we are only a few injuries away from it being a potential problem.”

A few scheduling problems resulted in the Eagles only having three home games in 2023. Still, Beeken believes every game on the schedule is winnable. Poinciana will open on the road with Nature Coast, a list-minute replacement for Celebration. They are the highest ranked team on Poinciana’s schedule but the Eagles will also face tough opposition from Horizon (Winter Garden) and Foundation Academy (Winter Haven) during the year.

As an independent, Poinciana was able to create and select all 10 of its opponents. “Our philosophy was to divide the schedule into thirds – a third of games we should win, a third of games that would be considered toss-ups and a third of games where we would have to play really well to win. I think it played out that way last year and this is a very similar schedule,’ Beeken said.

Poinciana is in its second year of independent status and will soon have to declare its status for the next two seasons. Beeken believes that as long as participation increases and team does well, the Eagles may very well return to District play next year. “A few years ago the program was about as low as it could be and going independent was the right choice for us,” he said. “If we can continue to build on the momentum of last season, there’s no reason to believe we can’t rejoin district play for next year.”

2023 Schedule

Kickoff Classic (Exhibition)

Aug. 18 Avon Park 7 p.m.

Regular Season

Aug. 25 at Nature Coast 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 Hardee 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 at Horizon 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 at Teneroc 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 29 at Foundation Academy 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 at Davenport 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 at North Port 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 Lake Buena Vista 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 at Mulberry 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 3 Liberty 7 p.m.

The post Poinciana Eagles Outlook: Coach Beeken Says Transfer High Should Be Called Homecoming High appeared first on Positively Osceola.

Osceola Commissioner Viviana Janer Presents $2000 Betterment Grant to Boggy Creek Elementary

riverrat — Mon, 23 May 2022 19:58:44 +0000

We live in an ever-changing, increasingly complex world, with our students prepared to bring knowledge and skills to solve problems, make sense of information, and know how to gather and evaluate evidence to make fact-based decisions. Science, technology, engineering, and math, known as STEM, are integral components of what Osceola County and our state’s students need in order to meet the demands of the dynamic and evolving workforce. We must also make sure that, no matter where children live, they have access to quality learning environments.

To that end, Osceola County Commissioner Viviana Janer recently awarded a $2,000 Community Betterment Grant to Boggy Creek Elementary School with those dollars being used for Science Lab equipment!

“Getting our children interested in Science early will lead to more curiosity and possibly future interest in careers in Science. Investing in this early is a key to success,” Osceola County Commissioner for District 4 Viviana Janer shared after presenting the Betterment Grant to Boggy Creek Elementary.

Without question, we must ensure that our schools have access to quality science departments, filled with state-of-the-art equipment that students can learn and experiment on in order to meet the demands that lie ahead of them.

The post Osceola Commissioner Viviana Janer Presents $2000 Betterment Grant to Boggy Creek Elementary appeared first on Positively Osceola.

Thirteen Osceola schools to continue curbside meal program for home learners through end of 2nd semester

riverrat — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 21:24:11 +0000

To ensure that students have nutritious meals while learning at home, the Osceola School District’s School Nutrition Services Department will continue to provide FREE breakfast and lunch to digital learning students and all children 18 years and under who are not attending in-person classes through May 28, 2021. Meal distribution for the curbside program will be revised to only the following 13 school sites beginning on February 2, 2021:

Celebration High
Gateway High
Harmony High
Horizon Middle
Kissimmee Middle
Koa Elementary
Liberty High
Neptune Middle
Narcoossee Elementary
St. Cloud High
Ventura Elementary
Westside K-8
Zenith Accelerated Learning Academy

Meal pick-up can be at any of the above locations while school is in session on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Elementary schools and Zenith Accelerated Learning Academy serving times are 9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m., middle schools serving times are 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 am, and high schools serving times are 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Tuesday meals will be bundled with two breakfasts and two lunches per child. Thursday meals will be bundled with three breakfasts and three lunches per child. To receive meals, identification for each student or child must be provided. Current student ID card, birth certificate, or any state-issued ID or passport are acceptable.

El programa del distrito escolar de entrega de comidas en la acera se consolida en 13 recintos escolares hasta el final del segundo semestre

Para garantizar que los estudiantes tengan comidas nutritivas mientras aprenden en el hogar, el Departamento de Servicios de Nutrición Escolar del Distrito Escolar de Osceola continuará brindando desayuno y almuerzo GRATIS a los estudiantes de aprendizaje digital y a todos los niños de 18 años y menores que no asistan a clases en persona hasta el 28 de mayo de 2021. La distribución de comidas para el programa de entrega en la acera se revisará solo para los siguientes 13 recintos escolares a partir del 2 de febrero de 2021:

Celebration High
Gateway High
Harmony High
Horizon Middle
Kissimmee Middle
Koa Elementary
‘Liberty High
Neptune Middle
Narcoossee Elementary
St. Cloud High
Ventura Elementary
Westside K-8
Zenith Accelerated Learning Academy

La recogida de comida se puede realizar en cualquiera de los recintos antes mencionados los martes y jueves en que las escuelas estén en sesión. Las escuelas elementales y la Academia de Aprendizaje Acelerado Zenith servirán de 9:00 a.m. a 9:30 a.m., las escuelas intermedias de 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. y las escuelas superiores de 3:30 p.m. a 4:30 p.m. Las comidas de los martes se combinarán con dos desayunos y dos almuerzos por niño. Las comidas de los jueves se combinarán con tres desayunos y tres almuerzos por niño. Para recibir las comidas, se debe proporcionar una identificación para cada estudiante o niño. Se aceptan tarjetas de identificación de estudiante actual, certificado de nacimiento o cualquier identificación o pasaporte emitido por el estado.

The post Thirteen Osceola schools to continue curbside meal program for home learners through end of 2nd semester appeared first on Positively Osceola.

Gatorade plant expansion will create 40 new jobs in Osceola County

riverrat — Tue, 06 Oct 2020 14:42:06 +0000

A group of doctors invented an iconic drink in a science lab on University of Florida’s campus in 1965, and the rest is history. Well not exactly, but the name was inspired by the Florida Gators and when you take a swallow of Gatorade to quench your thirst and rehydrate, there is likely a direct connection to Osceola County.

With a decades-long history of providing jobs to support Osceola County families, PepsiCo’s subsidiary, SVC Manufacturing, Inc., which produces Gatorade, will invest $30 million at its plant located at 1650 S. Poinciana Blvd. This project will install a new manufacturing line which is expected to begin operations in mid-2021 and will result in the creation of 40 additional jobs, bringing the total of full-time positions at the plant to nearly 200.

Osceola County is supporting this effort with a $3,000 per Job Creation Incentive and an annual Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Refund of 50% of the incremental County Ad Valorem Taxes paid on the new equipment between 2022 through 2026. It is estimated that the total Tax Refund is valued at over $300,000. For Gatorade to benefit from these incentives, the capital investment of $30 million must be made by December 31, 2021, while the 40 new full-time positions must be created by January 1, 2022 and maintained until January 1, 2027.

Gatorade is a great corporate community partner and this expansion is a fantastic return on investment for the county – about a 60:1 ratio. It also aligns with our adopted Strategic Plan’s goal to “Grow and Diversify” the economy by expanding an existing targeted industry. With the highest unemployment rate in the state sparked by the Coronavirus pandemic, these 40 new jobs could be a game-changer for hard-working residents desperate to save their homes and their lifestyles.

Viviana Janer

Chairwoman, Osceola County Commission

The $30 million project is expected to begin later in 2020 and the hiring for the 40 new jobs is expected to begin December 2020 and completed by the middle of 2021. Expected salaries for the new jobs will be at least 125 percent of the County’s current average annual wage of $36,415. The plant is conveniently located near the Sun Rail line.

“We are committed to increasing employment opportunities in Central Florida, which is the home to our PepsiCo North America Beverages South Division headquarters,” said Derek Lewis, President, PepsiCo Beverages North America – South Division. “This investment of an additional Gatorade manufacturing line will not only assist the local community with additional jobs but will be key in our path to support our customers’ business growth, as well as our growth in Florida and beyond.”

The incentive package was unanimously approved by the Commission on Monday, October 5th, 2020. The Commission included provisions in the Agreement that would ensure the Company invests $30 million, along with creating and maintaining the required new positions. Any positions rescinded before January 1, 2027, would require a refund of the Job Creation Incentive. Furthermore, in any year that the Company fails to meet the Job Requirements, the Tax Refund for that year(s) of non-compliance, will not be granted.

The post Gatorade plant expansion will create 40 new jobs in Osceola County appeared first on Positively Osceola.