A Message from Jim Gray Orlando City Commissioner

Volume 46/November 23, 2020

A Message from Jim Gray

Orlando City Commissioner

District 1

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City of Orlando is partnering with German-based aviation company Lilium to bring the country's first regional hub for high-speed electric vertical takeoff and landing(eVTOL)! This facility, known as veritport, will bring around 140 high-wage jobs to Central Florida.

Another transportation innovation coming to Lake Nona!

Lilium.com

Orange County is announcing Vision 2050 – a new comprehensive plan for smart, thriving and healthy growth in our region. This initiative will guide how and where growth will occur during the next three decades.

Vision 2050 includes a public engagement process that focuses on environmental preservation, community character, and public spaces as guiding principles for future development.

The Plan will be implemented through the adoption of a new Land Development Code that relies on development characteristics that are desired rather than what communities seek to avoid.

Take a Survey:

Survey 1: Your Vision and Evaluation of the Current Plan
Survey 2: Your Policy Priorities
Survey 3: Your Neighborhood and Planning Priorities

Stay Informed:

Join the mailing Vision 2050 list to be notified of upcoming events and public hearings.

Vision 2050

Initiatives & Resources

The City of Orlando has set an ambitious goal to become a zero-waste community by 2040 and wants you to ReThink Your Waste. To help you do that there is a new education campaign designed to shift perceptions and help form better habits with the choices we make on a daily basis.

Use the What Goes Where tool on orlando.gov/recycling and keep an eye out for more ReThink Your Waste tips, tricks and tools as we work together to send less waste to the landfill.

orlando.gov/recycling

Join the Dr. Phillips Center for six months of unique experiences, films and live entertainment in a one-of-a-kind outdoor venue. You’ll pick your own socially distant box for up to five people—where you can order food and drinks from some of your favorite local restaurants while you watch your show.

See the Line Up Here

AdventHealth has been selected as a testing site for the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson’s Phase 3 clinical research study, known as the Ensemble trial, to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Janssen’s investigational COVID-19 vaccine candidate. They are seeking to enroll 4,500 participants in Central Florida over the next 8 weeks.

For more information, including how to apply for enrollment, go to www.AdventHealthVaccineTrials.com or call 844-422-2282.

Click Here for More Information

Help is Here (funded by the Orange County CARES grant) is a new initiative that provides upskilling, training, and career placement services to those who have been financially burdened due to the virus. The program runs through December 31, 2020, which means that Orange County residents must apply for the program by the end of the year to receive support!

Career Source of Central Florida

Valencia College

Accelerated Skills Training Programs

Immediate Programs for High Demand Skills - Available for Individuals Impacted by Covid

In partnership with CareerSource of Central Florida, Help is Here Grant, FULL tuition assistance for Valencia College’s Accelerated Skills Training Programs may be available for qualified students.

To Enroll – NO Cost Application

Step 1: Apply for Programs at: http://valenciacollege.edu/ast-application

Step 2: Important: Where did you hear about us? – please select: “Orange Co. Convention Center Programs”

Step 3: Apply for Help is Here at: https://www.careersourcecentralflorida.com/helpishere/

Step 4: You will be contacted with details. Call or e-mail today! 407-582-6688 or ASTinfo@valenciacollege.edu

Grant Qualifications

At least 18 years of age or older and able to work in the U.S.

Resident of Orange County (must be able to verify)

Able to verify impacted by Covid (loss of job or reduced hours)

RESOURCES

The City of Orlando is actively responding to the threat of COVID-19 and is working closely with the Florida Department of Health, who in turn is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Find additional resources and updates on city services on the City of Orlando's COVID-19 webpage. You are encouraged to first seek assistance via phone, online or through email.

COVID-19 Latest Updates and Resources

Central Florida COVID-19 Testing Sites

Orange County Health Services is rolling out free, fast and for all ages rapid testing. They will be offering both molecular testing (PCR tests) which will render results in approximately 48 hours, and antigen (rapid) testing which can produce results in about 15 minutes.

Barnett Park

Monday - Friday

9 am to 5 pm

Services are free

No appointments necessary

All ages welcome

More information is available at ocfl.net/testing and click on #1 on the testing map

Immediate utility bill-payment relief is available for OUC customers in need through the Project CARE assistance program, administered by Heart of Florida United Way.

Many customers may be facing unusual financial hardships as a result of COVID-19. You can now set up a payment extension or a payment arrangement depending on your needs.