Provident Bank donates 3.5 acres for new Florida Village Hall

Florida - Provident Bank has donated 3.5 acres of land to the Village of Florida for municipal use in a transaction that closed June 19. The Village of Florida plans to build a new Village Hall and municipal center on the property. The donated property is located along Edward J. Lempka Drive, named after the former president of the National Bank of Florida, which merged with Provident Bank in 2002. The National Bank of Florida had subdivided the property and sold lots for community-related uses such as a new post office, medical center and day care facility. In addition to building the new Village Hall, the property will be used to build a new Village Court and possibly facilities for the police department. Planning for this work will take about five years. Until the new facilities are built, the property will be used for playgrounds and other recreational facilities. “The donation to Florida reflects Provident Bank’s mission as a community bank: Participating in the daily life of the communities it serves and giving something back,” said George Strayton, president and chief executive officer of Provident Bank. “We’re pleased to have this opportunity to connect with the people of Florida and to help the village plan for its future.” Village of Florida Mayor James Pawliczek credited bank officials for the idea. “When George Strayton approached us and mentioned the idea, we were 100 percent behind it,” the mayor said. “We’re going to put the land to good use for years to come and absolutely could not have done it without Provident Bank’s generous donation. “On behalf of the residents of Florida, we’d like to thank Provident Bank for giving us this great opportunity to plan for the future,” Pawliczek added. “The donated land is in a perfect location for a new municipal complex.”