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Economic Yearbook 2006 - Central Florida
Hispanic Influence
Growing Spanish-speaking population becoming key economic driver in four-county Central Florida region anchored by Orlando.
 Roger Ploum |
Roger Ploum, new general manager of the Westin Grand Bohemian hotel downtown, previously worked in Celebration after moving to Central Florida about seven years ago from New Orleans. Originally from Holland, Ploum chose the Orlando area for its quality of life. "It's a world-class city. There are few destinations in North America that would be more desirable to live in than Orlando." The hotel hires people from as far away as Iceland, Central and South America, Eastern Europe and other countries, he says. With the nation's second-largest number of hotel rooms after Las Vegas and the second-largest convention center after Chicago, hospitality workers know they can move up in position without having to move to a new location. "This is a great town for anyone in the hospitality industry," he says.
Orlando
Almost half of all people who move to Central Florida from outside the state gravitate toward Orlando and Orange County, IRS records show. And 50% of people who move out of Orlando and Orange County have been staying in the region, setting up residence in surrounding counties -- especially Seminole, which welcomed 20% of the 62,000 residents who left Orlando and Orange County in 2004. ... Mayor Buddy Dyer is launching four new business development programs: One aimed at helping women and minorities start and grow small businesses, another at attracting companies that will create high-wage jobs, another at assisting 10 startup businesses a year in each district, and the fourth at redeveloping outdated and unused strip shopping centers. ... The city is working with myregion.org to increase the supply of housing for both homeless people and middle-wage earners squeezed out by rising home prices.
Key Newcomers
? Juan Lynum, hired last year as executive director of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida, formerly worked for Bristol-Myers Squibb in Spain before returning to Orlando, where he grew up, to attend law school at the new Florida A&M University campus. Under his direction, the chamber has forged a partnership with Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce and is focusing on membership, advocacy and publishing a black business directory. He is the son of City Commissioner Daisy Lynum and is expected to run for a county commission seat.
? Linda Watson moved from Corpus Christi, Texas, last year to become CEO of the Lynx Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority. The vast majority of the bus system's new hires come from out of state, especially from New York, she says. "I talk to every single orientation class of new employees," she says. "We joke in every class, 'OK, raise your hand if you're from New York.' "
