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Remembering Our Heroes
When tragedy struck on the weekend of August 18 and we suffered the loss of City of Kissimmee Police Officer Matthew Baxter and Sergeant Sam Howard, the hearts of our entire community were shattered. Our community must never forget the sacrifice and service of these beloved officers - together we must forever honor their legacies. As we continue to mourn this devastating loss, it is vital that we make sure that their families are supported.
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Greetings,
I encourage you to join Orange County and the
National Center for Simulation (NCS) for the 2017 Florida Simulation Summit at the Orange County Convention Center on September 7. When I first convened this strategic Summit in 2015, it was primarily as an outgrowth of our annual economic summits, where we had seen a sustained focus on simulation technology and development as a specific driver of our innovation economy.
Now in its third year, the
Florida Simulation Summit
continues to showcase the strong progress, synergy and development of the MS&T industry in Central Florida and statewide. This year's
Simulation Summit
will highlight advancements in virtual and augmented reality within the transportation and automotive industries, the architecture and engineering sectors, and the medical robotics and simulation sectors. In addition to sharing industry insights on cutting-edge virtual and augmented applications, the goal of the Summit is to raise awareness about the simulation industry's vast impact on the broader region and economy.
We look forward to welcoming our keynote speaker, Elizabeth Baron, Ford Motor Co.'s renowned Virtual Reality and Advanced Technical Specialist. Ms. Baron manages Ford's Virtual Reality Center, which provides immersive virtual reality systems used for design and product development. As part of the Digital Innovation Group at Ford, Ms. Baron's goal is to address the unique challenges of automotive design and engineering in the digital age.
Our lineup of Summit speakers also includes experts from Orlando VA Medical Center, Luminar Technologies, Inc. (autonomous vehicles), the I-4 Ultimate Improvement Project, Institute for Simulation and Training at the University of Central Florida, Walt Disney World Resort, PCL Construction, Nemours Children's Hospital and the University of Florida. I invite you to attend this annual event. Please register online at
http://bit.ly/FLSim2017.
Through the use of augmented reality and simulation in construction and transportation planning, as well as in the medical industry through the creation of simulated cutting-edge surgical procedures and medical applications, the MS&T industry has proven to be catalyst for jobs and capital investment in Central Florida.
Central Florida's robust MS&T sector contributes more than $6 billion to Florida's gross state product and directly employs more than 30,000 Floridians with an average annual salary of nearly $80,000. The Central Florida Research Park, located next to the University of Central Florida, is the epicenter of the MS&T industry and fosters collaboration, cooperation and partnership between academia, industry and government. Founded in 1993, the Central Florida Research Park is home to the
National Center for Simulation.
By working with our many industry partners, including Orange County's interdisciplinary
MS&T Blue Ribbon Commission, the
NCS,
Orlando Economic Partnership,
The Corridor,
Team Orlando, the
City of Orlando,
Central Florida Research Park, the
Metro Orlando Defense Task Force (MODTF) and the
OCPS Tech Centers, Central Florida continues to invest in the future of this high-tech, high-wage cluster.
We thank our partners and Simulation Summit sponsors for their continued support.
We have so much to be proud of as our community continues to nurture and cultivate our flourishing MS&T economy. I look forward to our continued work together and I hope to see you at this year's Florida Simulation Summit!
Sincerely,
Teresa Jacobs
Orange County Mayor
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One Orlando Alliance Honored With Mayor Jacobs' 2017 Citizen of the Year Award
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Orange County Heroin Task Force Announces Tool in Fight Against Heroin
The website,
www.OCFLHeroesAgainstHeroin.org
, includes valuable and life-saving information on how to help someone overcome opioid addiction. The website is set up to provide simple but detailed facts about the opioid abuse epidemic, including treatment resources for those dealing with addiction and educates the community on how to prevent substance use before it starts.
The Orange County Heroin Task Force was convened in August 2015 by Mayor Jacobs, with Orange County Sheriff Jerry L. Demings as co-chair.
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Orange County Celebrates Wekiva Parkway in Apopka
Orange County and the Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) celebrated the opening of its newly built five-mile stretch of the Wekiva Parkway on July 26. The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held at the Belgian Street Bridge in Apopka, welcomed community leaders from Orange, Lake and Seminole counties.
The Wekiva Parkway, referred to as State Road 429, is a cooperative effort between the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and CFX. CFX oversees the Orange County portion of the parkway and FDOT is responsible for the portions in Lake and Seminole counties. This new portion begins at U.S. Highway 441 and extends north to Kelly Park Road, connecting to the Florida Turnpike and State Road 408.
Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs currently serves on the Governing Board of CFX and is a staunch advocate for transparency of operations and accountability for citizens and toll-payers of the region. Mayor Jacobs has been a leader in transportation issues since she first was elected District 1 County Commissioner in 2000 and works collaboratively with elected officials and policy leaders throughout Central Florida to help create, strengthen and maintain the region's transportation infrastructure.
From her earliest days on the Wekiva River Basin Commission and since being elected Mayor in 2011, the Wekiva Parkway remains one of Mayor Jacobs greatest priorities. In addition to the thousands of jobs created and the long-term economic impact, this highway project will benefit the lives of thousands of Floridians. The eventual completion of the 25-mile toll road will make travel easier and more convenient through Lake, Orange, and Seminole counties and will relieve congestion.
The Wekiva Parkway is expected to connect to State Road 417, completing the beltway around Central Florida, while helping to protect natural resources surrounding the Wekiva River. Construction on the first phase began in 2014 and is expected to be finished in 2021. The project is estimated to cost $1.6 billion and includes $500 million of non-toll road improvements. The first section will help relieve traffic congestion and provide travel alternatives for drivers who use U.S. Highway 441. Once completed, the Wekiva Parkway will cover 25 miles in Orange, Seminole and Lake counties.
Learn more >
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Central Florida Commission on Homelessness Announces New Impact Families Program
Together with the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness (CFCH), Orange and Osceola counties announced the launch of its new "Impact Families" program with Goodwill Industries of Central Florida, Inc. on August 4. This initiative is a pilot program that will focus on increasing housing stability through a strong emphasis on employment and education. The program was developed to serve as a strategic response to the growing number of homeless children in the tri-county region.
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Orange County Continues to Manage Mosquito Populations
It's not uncommon for mosquito populations to be on the rise during the summer months as regular storms and rainfall helps foster the ideal breeding environment for mosquitoes in Florida.
Mosquito Control offices throughout the state have confirmed that summer rainstorms, combined with a warmer winter season, have contributed to a rise in the mosquito population. While residents often think of mosquitoes as pests, it is important to remember that mosquitoes also have the potential to transmit serious diseases.
Orange County Mosquito Control (OCMC) only uses materials approved by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Florida Department of Agriculture. To help manage mosquito populations, trucks disperse sprays that are equivalent in strength to an over-the-counter flea-and-tick product.
To reduce the mosquito population and prevent the spread of illnesses, OCMC encourages citizens to continue to
Tip, Toss and Cover. Residents are asked to
TIP out any standing water left in containers, such as flower pots or tin cans. Mosquitoes can develop in an environment as small as a bottle cap, so be sure to
TOSS any and all trash or debris that could collect water. Residents are also encouraged to
COVER their skin with long-sleeved shirts and long pants and use a repellent that contains DEET. Remember to call 311 if rising mosquito populations become a nuisance, to report roadside trash that could collect standing water (like abandoned tires), or with questions.
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News Worth Noting ...
The Orange County Division of Building Safety hosted its third Customer Appreciation and Education Day in May at the atrium of the County Administration Center. The event focused on customer appreciation in celebration of Building Safety Month (BSM). Each year during the month of May, the International Code Council sponsors BSM to create community awareness and understanding around the importance of permitting and building safe facilities.
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Amazon announced plans to open a new fulfillment center in Orlando. When the site opens in 2018, Amazon will create 1,500 new full-time jobs with benefits and opportunities to engage with Amazon Robotics in a highly technological workplace.
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