Though Florida Tile shuttered its Lakeland manufacturing plant close to two years ago, the tile maker still has a home in the area. In early June, Florida Tile moved its corporate offices to an 18,000 square-foot building at 320 W. Main St. in Lakeland.

The new site employs 45 people, and houses the company's information systems, human resources, accounting, sales support and corporate purchasing functions. The old site, at 1 Sikes Blvd., has been demolished.

According to CEO Buck Burwell, it was important for the company, which is now owned by a private investor group, to keep ties to the town. "Lakeland is an important part of the legacy of Florida Tile," he said in a statement.