**Orlando Health Plans Major Expansion**: Orlando Health is moving forward with plans to build a hospital in Lakewood Ranch, following a $12 million land purchase in 2022. The project, which has been in the planning stages for several years, will expand healthcare services in the area, though specific details have not yet been released.

**Lakewood Ranch Farmers Market Named No. 1 in America**

The Farmers' Market at Lakewood Ranch has been voted the top farmers market in the United States by the American Farmland Trust, receiving the most votes out of 1,263 participating markets. The market is recognized for its vibrant community atmosphere, diverse vendors, and unique activities.

**Lakewood Ranch President and CEO Named Community Humanitarian of the Year**

Rex Jensen, President and CEO of Lakewood Ranch, received the C. John A. Clarke Community Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation on November 14, 2025. Jensen's leadership embedded stewardship into the community's culture, including establishing the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation. Under his vision, the 77,000-person community has become nationally recognized for balancing progress with environmental care and philanthropy.

**Manatee County Development Services Reopens in Lakewood Ranch** — The Manatee County Development Services lobbies officially reopened today at their new location at 9000 Town Center Parkway in Lakewood Ranch after closing on November 14 for relocation from the Downtown Administration Building. Services remained available online during the transition, and inspections were not impacted.

**Manatee County Development Services Department Relocation:** In-person services for the Manatee County Development Services Department will resume at the new East Campus location at 9000 Town Center Parkway starting November 18, 2025.

**SRQ Women's Expo**: The SRQ Women's Expo is being held at GROVE Ballroom from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, featuring over 75 vendors, shopping, networking, educational workshops, and a celebration of women entrepreneurs and business owners.

**Approval and plans for a new public high school in Lakewood Ranch**: The Manatee County School District's proposed "High School AAA" site plan received narrow approval from the county commission on November 4, 2025. The school will be on an 85-acre parcel with a size over 297,000 square feet and capacity for 2,500 students, including multiple classroom buildings and athletic facilities. Construction is set to proceed following this approval.

**25th Annual Empty Bowls Event**: Taking place today from 11 AM to 1 PM at Lakewood Ranch Main Street, this event benefits The Food Bank of Manatee by offering soup and bread from local restaurants and handcrafted bowls for purchase, with proceeds supporting hunger relief in Manatee County.

**Soirée at the Ranch Celebrates Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation's 25th Anniversary** — The grand finale event of LWRCF's 25th anniversary celebration is taking place today from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club. The evening features a cocktail hour, silent auction, dinner, live auction, and a paddle raise, with a highlight being the honoring of the 2025 Lakewood Ranch Humanitarian of the Year. Individual tickets are $250.

**Outback Steakhouse Grand Opening Celebration** – Outback Steakhouse held its grand opening at 12245 State Road 70 E in Lakewood Ranch on November 11, bringing 120 new jobs to the community. Today, a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Manatee Chamber of Commerce and Bradenton Kiwanis Club is taking place at 2 p.m. The restaurant also honored Veterans Day by offering free three-course meals to guests with valid military identification on opening day and donated $5,000 from grand opening proceeds to the Bradenton Kiwanis Club to support youth programs and community projects.