Impact Update for Thursday, March 24
“It took a lot of work — starting with just a few people taking the dream forward. Along the way, many more joined the ranks: 4,000 volunteers, governments, police, companies of every size, transportation agencies, the tourism industry, pubs and restaurants galore, and the colorful fans.”

-Joanie Schirm, Orlando's Host Committee Chair for the1994 World Cup

See World Cup story below...
Quote of the Day.

“Somebody gives you an opportunity, say yes to it. So what if you fail? You won’t know if you fail or succeed unless you try.”

- Ann Meyers
American Basketball Player & Sportscaster
Around The Horn.

In The News.

  • Orlando is among nine "rising star" metros that added jobs at a brisk pace in the years before the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a new report from Washington, D.C.-based think tank Brookings Institution. Those metros collectively generated 87,000 new tech jobs between 2015 and 2019, creating substantial new hubs outside of traditional industry cities like San Francisco and New York City.
  • With nearly 1,300 vacant positions, Orange County government is offering sign-on bonuses to attract critical employees, longevity rewards to encourage workers to stay and referral incentives to employees who recruit job candidates, County Manager Byron Brooks said.
  • The City of Orlando will unveil a special new monument at Lake Lorna Doone Park today that commemorates the first interracial Little League Game in the South. Players from both 1955 teams, the Orlando Kiwanis and Pensacola Jaycees, will be in attendance, with Mayor Buddy Dyer, Commissioner Regina Hill, and Dr. Richard Lapchick of the Institute for Sport and Social Justice, all scheduled to speak.
  • COVID-19 and the omicron wave took its toll on Port Canaveral’s plans for the first two months of the year, but March is trending toward a rebound said Port Canaveral CEO John Murray at a Wednesday meeting.
  • The Florida Film Festival has just announced the program lineup for its 31st Annual Festival, running April 8-17, 2022, which will be hosted in Maitland and Winter Park. This year's festival will screen 167 films representing 37 countries.
  • A new online marketplace is helping homeowners — at least those without children seeking an allowance — answer an age-old question: Who is going to mow the lawn? GreenPal, which launched in Orlando in March, seeks to connect homeowners with lawn services. 
  • A number of Orlando area breweries just came back with some awards after repping The City Beautiful at a state-wide competition.
  • As gas prices soar, commuters may be doing some thinking about how they get around and how they could do it cheaper. Rollins College Environmental studies professor Bruce Stephenson has been researching how cities are made and what makes them good - or bad - places to live for decades. WMFE spoke with Stephenson about his new book about living car-free in Portland and lessons that can be applied to Orlando.
Stay Engaged.

  • The ninth annual Touch-a-Truck will roll back onto Knights Plaza at Addition Financial Arena this Saturday, March 26 from 12pm-3pm. Touch-a-Truck is a free, interactive experience for kids of all ages to learn more about their favorite trucks and vehicles they see on a daily basis.
  • Orange County Parks and Recreation and Mayor Demings will be celebrating the 10th annual Mayor’s Jazz in the Park event on Saturday, March 26 from 2-6 pm at Cypress Grove Park. The free event will be hosted by Yvonne Loggins Coleman, a local jazz personality, and supported by WUCF 89.9 FM.
  • The best cake decorators & artists from South & Central Florida will be competing at the Save the Date Expo & Cake Wars Challenge event taking place on March 27 at Osceola Heritage Park.
  • Dance Club 921 is hosting an April Fools Dance Party at Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Center. 100% of the first $500 in ticket sales go directly back to benefit Orlando Ballet, and 25% of sales thereafter. See you on the dance floor!
  • Walt Disney World is starting up its H2O Glow After Hours event again at Typhoon Lagoon water park. H2O Glow is a separately ticketed, limited-attendance nighttime session with the attraction’s slides, including the wave pool and Crush ‘N’ Gusher, plus dance parties and glow-themed menu items.
  • Ivanhoe Village’s annual Sip into Spring wine walk returns on Saturday, March 26 at 5pm this year, featuring 15 different locations. The 15 local businesses along the route will offer both red and white wine options, and each participating business will remain open for extended shopping hours as well as 20 other pop-up vendors.
  • Head over to the College Park Spring Fest on Saturday, April 2 for a celebration along Edgewater Drive, including live music, art, activities, food trucks, and more.
  • Camping World Stadium is hosting its first Orlando Tacos and Margaritas Festival where it will shell out tons of tantalizing tacos and myriad flavors of margaritas to festival-goers on Saturday, April 16. Tickets are on sale now!
  • Summer Camp registration is now open for the Orlando Science Center! Keep learning all summer long with exciting STEM camps for Preschool* through Grade 9, featuring topics like chemistry, engineering, nature, and many more.
  • Florida residents can save big while visiting Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. Click here to view the current list of special offers.
  • Universal Orlando's Florida resident specials include discounts on vacation packages.
In The Community.
Board member Tekoa Pouerie was honored at the recent Onyx Women on the Move awards at The Alfond Inn. Jason Siegel attended along with Commissioner Regina Hill and GO Sports board members Jenise Osani, Nancy Schwalb, Justin Williams, Jesse Martinez and Latria Graham.
President & CEO Jason Siegel spoke on a panel at the annual Soccerex convention in Miami, pictured here with GO Sports board members Caesar Lopez and Ricardo Villar, as well as Alan Rothenberg from Premier Partnerships.
GO Sports Board Chairman Faron Kelley and many partners attend the Orlando Magic Wine Festival & Auction benefiting the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation.
Jason Siegel spoke with WKMG News 6 Sports Director Jamie Seh, promoting the upcoming USMNT vs. Panama 2022 World Cup Qualifying match being hosted in Orlando on March 27.
GO Sports board members Justin Williams and Jesse Martinez attending the CFHLA Diversity Workshop along with President & CEO Jason Siegel
GO Sports Senior Director Kyle Sturley was tapped to work the NCAA Women's March Madness first four and first/second round games hosted at the #1 overall seed University of South Carolina.
GO Sports Senior Director Shalisa Griffin spoke to high school students as part of the Sports Career Panel at U.S. Soccer's One Nation Community Youth Program hosted locally at Boone High School.
Mayor Buddy Dyer spoke at a reception to celebrate being just one year away from hosting March Madness men's basketball games at the Amway Center in 2023. The event will be co-hosted by GO Sports, the City of Orlando and UCF Athletics.
GO Sports Executive Vice President Jennifer Lastik attended the Women Lead Orlando dinner presented by STAX Payments along with Orlando City Foundation President WISE Greater Orlando Vice President Kay Rawlins and many other partners.
Board member Steve Hogan attended the unveiling of a new monument at Lake Lorna Doone Park that commemorates the first interracial Little League Game in the South.
GO Sports staff Kyle Sturley and Lindsey McBride, both of whom serve as committee chairs for WISE Greater Orlando, attended the chapter's Power Play panel at ESPN Wide World of Sports featuring key women behind the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games.
Jason Siegel and 2022 Special Olympics USA Games CEO Joe Dzaluk presented to Angela Suggs and the Florida Sports Foundation board of directors.
Local Resources.

  • Visit these pages for the most critical local health and government updates:
  • City of Orlando: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
  • Orange County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
  • Osceola County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
  • Seminole County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
  • Lake County: Homepage
  • City of Orlando:
  • The Downtown Development Board (DDB) and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) created a webpage to assist with identifying grants and incentives that may be available to downtown businesses.
  • Orlando's City Council approved the Safety Awareness for Everyone (S.A.F.E) Program, creating an incentive for businesses and properties to purchase and install security measures that are intended to help deter crime and provide a safer environment for business owners, employees, and visitors. Entertainment businesses including, but not limited to, bars, nightclubs, and entertainment venues located within the City of Orlando’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) footprint shall be eligible for funding to purchase and install security measures which include identification scanners, security cameras, and metal detection systems. Other properties located within the CRA shall be eligible for funding to purchase and install security cameras only. Applicants are eligible to receive up to $10,000 or 50% of the total cost of eligible products, whichever is less. Click here for more info and to apply now.
  • Orange County:
  • The #IGotMyShot mobile vaccination trailer continues to visit neighborhoods and businesses throughout Orange County. For next week’s schedule, or for more information about the #IGotMyShot campaign, visit ocfl.net/IGotMyShot.
  • Orange County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program remains open for individuals who are behind on rent or at risk of being evicted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, more than $15.3 million have been approved to keep 2,635 families in their homes. Recently, the City of Orlando announced it has depleted its current federal funds dedicated to its Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Orange County is stepping in to bridge the gap and will temporarily offer assistance to Orlando residents, effective now until further notice. Eligible residents include those living in unincorporated Orange County, Apopka, Bay Lake, Belle Isle, Eatonville, Edgewood, Lake Buena Vista, Maitland, Oakland, Ocoee, Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden and Winter Park. Residents can visit ocfl.net/RentalAssistance to review program details and to check if their address is eligible.
  • CareerSource Central Florida is helping career seekers and displaced workers apply for the Reemployment Assistance program through the Department of Economic Opportunity.
  • Osceola County:
  • Osceola County is currently accepting applications for emergency utility assistance for households impacted by COVID19. Funding is available for electric, gas, and water utilities only. If you reside in Osceola County and your household is impacted, please click here to complete the application.
  • Lake County:
  • For Lake County residents, United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties is able to assist with CARES/ERA/SHIP Federal funds for rent and utilities. For more information on eligibility and documents needed, or to make an appointment, please visit their Family Stability Services page.
  • Seminole County:
  • If you have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and live in Seminole County, The Sharing Center is currently accepting applications for rent/mortgage and utilities assistance. Click here for program criteria and to learn how to apply.
  • Additional Resources:
  • The US Small Business Association has compiled a database of private funding options to help small businesses. Browse the options available nationally, or input a zip code to explore location-specific funding.