BRIDGE Local believes in being a hub for Small Business resources and continuing to celebrate and encourage genuine connection and collaboration. We are committed to making a meaningful difference in our community and truly listening to small business owners and entrepreneurs to improve the small business environment. Small businesses are the backbone of our community, and we’ll always tirelessly advocate for them. A rising tide lifts all ships, and we’re raising the tide. MEET BRIDGE LOCAL BY LBL You might know BRIDGE Local by it’s original name: Lakeland Business Leaders. Lakeland Business Leaders was established in 2010 by Chrissanne Long and Craig Hosking before it was rebranded to BRIDGE Local in 2019. Originally, Lakeland Business Leaders was created to help businesses in the Lakeland area connect to customers who are looking for local solutions in real time. LBL was sustained by members looking for referrals, networking opportunities, and chances to collaborate, inspire and grow with each other. After years of serving the beloved small business community in this way, Lakeland Business Leaders grew and a new way of serving was discovered–a way to bridge the gaps. While our values remained the same, we quickly discovered that there were more valuable and efficient ways that we could serve our members. Our mission became centered around more tightly connecting all of the resources available to local businesses, local consumers, and our community as a whole.