Central Fla.: How Bad Is It?

Diane Sears | 11/1/2008

Small Business
Economic ‘Spasm’

Jerry Ross

"It’s taken awhile to hit small businesses. ... A tough economy is going to shake out those that are having difficulty already. ... People are unsure of what’s going to happen in so many areas that even if they’re doing OK, they pause. There’s the election, the tax implications for the future, negative news, the economic crisis. ... It’s created a spasm ... a domino effect ... their business slows down and then their spending slows down. They say, ‘Maybe I ought to save this $2,000 I was going to spend on renovations and keep it in the mattress.’ ... Biotech, high-tech and green-tech industries are growing. International travelers are still coming in, going to the theme parks, renting cars. I think we have it much better than other places."

— Jerry Ross, executive director, Disney Entrepreneur Center, Orlando

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Technology/Simulation
‘Still Optimistic’

Soldiers at Fort Campbell, Ky., train on the Engagement Skills Trainer, a PEO STRI simulation training system. [U.S. Army Photo/ Doug Schaub]

"We’re in uncertain budgetary times with the changing administration. Quick turnaround programs that generally have some commercial appeal we can apply to the military are doing well. We’re seeing a lot of work going out into the hands of smaller and midsize companies. ... We continue to see the defense market increase 10% to 12% a year, and we’re still optimistic we’ll see 10% overall growth in the market this year. Our books are going to close between $5.2 billion and $5.3 billion. Of that, roughly 45% will stay right here in central Florida."

— Pete Marion, customer support executive, PEO STRI (Army’s Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training & Instrumentation)

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Tourism
International Aid

Gary Sain

"We had a great first six months, very healthy, but we’re seeing a slower pace now. ... That will continue to a large degree in at least the first six months of 2009. ... We’ve got to restore consumer confidence. When people feel good they’re not going to lose their jobs, when they look at their 401(k)s and feel comfortable, then they’re going to spend dollars on travel. ... The good news for the consumer is that a trip to Orlando is probably at one of the lowest prices ever this fall. ... And international markets are up. We’ve had great growth from Brazil, the U.K., Ireland, Germany, Mexico and Canada."

— Gary Sain, president and CEO, Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau

Next page: Charts on School Enrollment, Gross Sales, Existing-Home Sales and Unemployment for the Central region of Florida.

Tags: Central