Business incubator operator BizLINK presented a quarterly report to the City of Lake Wales commission and requested consideration of a reduced renewal of its community‑redevelopment contract, which expires next month.

Frank Cornier, chief executive of FTC and co‑founder of BizLINK, and Derek Blue, BizLINK co‑founder and chief operating officer, summarized the group's three‑year effort under a $1.2 million initial contract. The executive summary in BizLINK's packet reported roughly $750,000 in revenue generated by businesses the program assisted, about 40 new jobs and roughly $560,000 in wages; the presenters calculated a $1.09 return for every dollar the CRA invested.

Cornier and Blue said BizLINK has delivered training and technical assistance — 17 business trainings, 15 networking sessions and more than 6,000 hours of technical assistance — and that the program has connected local companies to contracts and financing partners including a community development financial institution (CDFI), which BizLINK leaders said will help businesses access working capital.

Blue said the request before the commission is for less city funding than in the past and that the organization aims to reduce reliance on government support by advancing business finance and property activation strategies. BizLINK leaders said they were victims of an earlier embezzlement related to a third party; they said they are cooperating with law enforcement and that litigation and restitution remain ongoing matters.

Commissioners and the mayor probed program results, financial controls and the organization's future self‑sufficiency. A commissioner said they expected a declining level of city support and asked for measurable evidence of increasing self‑reliance; BizLINK responded that the new proposal reduces the requested city allocation and places greater emphasis on financing and property activation in Lincoln Avenue and downtown.

One commission member said they would recuse from a vote because of a personal relationship with an organization leader; the commission indicated the renewal and all city nonprofit contracts will be discussed during upcoming budget and CRA meetings. City staff said the first CRA meeting in July is the likely venue for a formal discussion of a new contract prior to the current agreement’s expiration.

Ending: BizLINK asked the commission to consider the reduced proposal; staff flagged the item for a forthcoming CRA agenda and additional commission review. Commissioners asked for clearer performance metrics, evidence of declining city dependence and documentation of safeguards put in place after the earlier embezzlement investigation.