CENTRAL: New Spirit

Sanford

RENOVATIONS: After more than three years of work to its public infra-structure, the city's downtown historic district is now bustling with private renovation projects, says Bob Tunis, city economic development director. Among them: Several blocks of commercial businesses along Sanford Avenue, a cultural corridor surrounding the Helen Stairs Theatre for the Performing Arts, a commuter rail stop, improvements to the Amtrak auto train station and the ambitious Gateway at RiverWalk waterfront condominium complex, which has stalled in the face of local opposition.

STRENGTHS: The city's employment is up. ... Homes are selling in just three to four months. ... Property assessments have increased 40% from two years ago.

Innovator

? Since it was founded in 1999, XOS Technologies, which provides technology tools for sports coaches and managers, has branched into products that allow consumers to keep up with their favorite sports teams via live broadcasts online -- as many as 1,000 events a month, says Nada Usina, network president. The company hired 80 people last year, bringing its employee count to about 180. "We're going to continue to grow," says Usina. "We have a lot of new products on the horizon."

Seminole County

HOT SPOTS: The county saw 13 expansion projects in 2006 that brought 1,060 jobs and $84.2 million in investment. ... Unemployment is 2.6%. ... Office/industrial space is filled, with the vacancy rate for Class A office space at 4%. ... Orlando Sanford International Airport attracted two new airlines and announced plans for its first on-site hotel. ... A partnership with University of Central Florida is creating a business accelerator in Seminole to foster technology companies.

SLOWDOWN: The county's new business activity and real estate sales have slowed, which might signal a trend for 2007, says Bill McDermott, director of economic development.

Innovators

? Colleen Rotella, Seminole County's acting Business Innovations and Technology Service director, and her colleagues have partnered with the University of Central Florida to create an integrated services network that will give residents streamlined access to data from planning and zoning records, the school board, the sheriff's office, the property appraiser and other government agencies and departments. People who want to build a house, put in a pool or relocate a company to Seminole County shouldn't have to go to multiple offices or websites to gather the information they need, Rotella says. Microsoft is interested in replicating the program for use in other governments, even at a federal level. Another plus: The network will save paper and staff hours, making the county's government 40% more efficient after the initial phase.

? Oviedo-based Rini Technologies has developed military suits and uniforms with "personal cooling technology" that helps prevent heat stress and protects soldiers from chemical, biological and airborne nuclear hazards.

Tags: Central