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Economic Yearbook 2007
CENTRAL: New Spirit
Bulding on Burnham and a booming simulation industry.
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Orange County
RESEARCH: Innovation Way near the University of Central Florida continues to take shape with plans for a research park expansion and the start of a life sciences community at nearby Lake Nona to be anchored by the Burnham Institute, a UCF medical school, a Veterans Administration hospital, a University of Florida research team and possibly a Nemours children's hospital.
UCF: In its first capital campaign, the University of Central Florida exceeded its goal by more than $200 million, raising $356 million over eight years through mid-2006 -- including $80.3 million toward its new medical school.
TAX FIGHT: Watch for Orange County to join other local governments in fighting a state tax-cut proposal that could threaten funding for local projects, Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty says.
Innovators
? Joe Lewis and Rasesh Thakkar of Tavistock Group are developing Lake Nona, the largest master-planned community in central Florida, and have teamed with other community visionaries to create a council that will guide growth of the local life sciences industry cluster. Besides the business angle, they're looking at how to make Lake Nona "America's healthiest community" by incorporating healthy living as part of all 9,000 homes expected to be built there, Thakkar says.
? Stan Thomas and Marc Watson of Thomas Enterprises are developing Universal Boulevard adjacent to the Orange County Convention Center off International Drive and leading a vision that emphasizes environmental protection while building 10,400 hotel rooms and 6,200 homes and condominium units. They've restored the former missile test site and added wetlands at Shingle Creek, which serves as the headwaters of the Florida Everglades, and they're incorporating "green" transportation options into the community, such as horse stables, walking paths and electric carts.
? The Primary Care Access Network and its 11 clinics and 1,400 volunteer medical workers offer healthcare for 200,000 uninsured and underinsured people who otherwise would rely on expensive publicly funded emergency room visits for their primary care. Informal collaboration among the 20 board members has led to innovative ideas in after-hours treatment, specialty care, location and funding, says board chairwoman Maureen Kersmarki. The American Hospital Association recognized the network last year as one of five model programs nationwide, and other counties including Pasco and Volusia are working with PCAN to set up similar systems.
Lake Mary
HOMES: Townhome development is increasing, including communities under construction by D.R. Horton along Rinehart Road and Morrison Homes along U.S. 17-92, says John Omana, community development director. Like a growing number of central Florida leaders, Lake Mary's landuse planners have embraced the concept of "internal capture," Omana says, zoning property downtown and in the high-tech corridor off I-4 so people can live, work and play in the same area of town.
BUSINESS: Manufacturer Central Florida Box relocated from Orlando to Lake Mary last year, renovating a 190,000-sq.-ft. building on Lake Emma Road that houses all of its office, warehouse and manufacturing operations.
Innovator
? The Lake Mary office of Herndon, Va.-based Electronic Warfare Associates employs about 10 software programmers who do computer-based training for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, helping aviators plan and practice missions prior to flying. EWA, with more than 1,000 employees worldwide, has had an office in central Florida since the late 1980s.
