Mulberry

The city was designated as 2011 Rural Community of the Year by the federal Departmnent of Agriculture's rural development office in Florida.

The award honors communities that coordinate with local residents, as well as state and federal agencies, to accomplish local goals.

Rural development's low-interest loan program is funding a $4 million upgrade to the city's water system and a similar project at the wastewater plant.

The city also has improved stormwater drainage throughout the city with various projects.

Phosphate mining and processing is the state's third largest industry, and Mulberry is the official Phosphate Capital of the World.

The mines around Mulberry supply 80 percent of the nation's and a third of the world's demand for the essential fertilizer ingredient.

Mosaic is the largest phosphate producer in the entire world.

Master Containers, Inc., the largest foam cup and container plant headquartered in Florida, is another corporation that proudly calls Mulberry home.

Incorporated: 1901

Size: 6.3 square miles

Population: 3,817

Government: The City Commission has an elected mayor and five city commissioners. The city manager is appointed. All elected officials serve two-year terms on a rotating basis. The mayor is paid $5,018 a year and commissioners receive $3,345. Regular meetings are at 7:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at City Hall.

City Commission: Mayor George Hatch, 863-425-1125. Commissioners Andy Scrocca 863-425-5148; Jim Splaine, 863-425-4412; Jerry Woods, 863-698-8779; Terry Evers, 863-640-5576; Collins Smith, 863-425-1125

Budget: $6.7 million

Property tax rate: $8.9 per $1,000 of taxable value.

City Manager: Frank Satchel, 863-425-1125

Law enforcement: Polk County Sheriff's Office, Mulberry substation, 104 Church Ave. S., 863-425-1119, www.polksheriff.org

Fire Department: 863-425-9747. Polk County Fire Station, 109 N.W. Ninth Ave., polkfire.polkfl.com

City Hall: 104 S. Church Ave. 863-425-1125, www.cityofmulberryfl.com

Water, sewer: 863-425-1125

Public Works: 425-3146

Garbage: 863-665-1489

Electricity: Tampa Electric Co. 888-223-0800, www.tampaelectric.com

Library: Dr. C.C. Pearce Library, 103 E. Canal St., 863-425-3246, www.pclc.lib.fl.us/libraries/mulberry

Senior Citizen Center: 863-425-1523

Mulberry Phosphate Museum: State Road 37, located one block south of State Road 60. 863-425-2823.

Recreation: Bicentennial Park, Mulberry Civic Center, Spence Field, W.S. Badcock Dixie Youth Field and five playgrounds.

Public Schools: Mulberry High School, Mulberry Middle School, and Kingsford, Purcell and Sikes elementary schools.

Chamber of Commerce: 400 N. Church Ave. 863-425-4414, www.mulberrychamber.org