(The following story by Billy Townsend appeared on the Tampa Bay Tribune website on June 11.)
LAKELAND, Fla. — The ad hoc government and business group focusing on the Lakeland effects of the proposed CSX hub in Winter Haven will hold its first forum at 3 p.m. today in Lakeland’s city commission chambers.
CSX officials are expected to attend. The meeting is open to the public.
The 1,250-acre hub, which would serve as a statewide distribution vehicle and consumer goods distribution center for Jacksonville-based CSX, would significantly increase train traffic through downtown Lakeland, officials with the company have said. The downtown Lakeland line is the prime approach for the proposed hub.