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Economic Yearbook 2008
CENTRAL: Joining Forces
ORANGE COUNTY
As the region focuses on diversifying its economy, the county is focused on creating jobs. One promising sector: The green-business movement that aims to help the region become eco-friendly. Another: Proposed construction of the Wekiva Parkway, a $1.8-billion project that would be the last piece in the $13.8-billion beltway around Central Florida. The parkway would join a planned commuter rail project in alleviating traffic from I-4, which is about to be widened through downtown. “I see this as an opportunity for job creation, as well as moving people and visitors around,” Mayor Richard Crotty says.
LEADER
» Dr. Daniel Kelly, director of cardiovascular research at Washington University’s School of Medicine in St. Louis, starts his new job in July as scientific director of the Burnham Institute, where he’ll be responsible for recruiting faculty.
LAKE MARY
The city continues to attract businesses, especially at Colonial Town Center in Heathrow and the Primera Boulevard area. City officials expect new hotels to stake claims there to serve the growing technology community. There’s some talk of redeveloping the land that wraps around the vacant former Siemens property along Rinehart Road north of Lake Mary Boulevard, which would be a boon for the city, says city planner Gary Schindler.
LEADERS
» Craig Miller, president, CEO and chairman of Ruth’s Chris Steak House, has steered the chain through extreme ups and downs since taking the helm in 2004. The company moved its headquarters from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, just a month after its initial public offering. In February, Miller oversaw the company’s $92-million purchase of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, a collection of seafood restaurants and steakhouses based in Columbus, Ohio.
» Randy Berridge, president of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, which covers 23 counties, was recently recognized by TechJournal South magazine as one of the 25 most influential people to watch in Southeast technology. The council’s matching grants research program has connected 1,500 graduate and doctoral students and research assistants with 800-plus research projects at the University of Central Florida, University of Florida and University of South Florida.
SANFORD
Despite a housing slowdown, the retail and commercial sectors are doing quite well, says Bob Tunis, the city’s economic development director. New Kohl’s, Super Target and Circuit City stores along Rinehart Road have helped extend Seminole Towne Center’s footprint from State Road 46 to County Road 46A. A new FedEx distribution center and Washburn Imports, the first substantial downtown retail store, have brought services and products that previously required traveling to Orlando.
LEADERS
» As president of TBI U.S., Larry Gouldthorpe oversees half of the public/private partnership that runs Sanford Orlando International Airport, where growth has soared from fewer than 50,000 passengers in 1996 to a projected 2 million this year. Early on, the airport specialized in charter flights to and from the United Kingdom, but in recent years domestic service has grown to make up about 50% of its business, thanks to Las Vegas-based Allegiant Airlines, which has eight planes in Sanford carrying passengers to 30 U.S. destinations. The airport also wooed Icelandair from Orlando International Airport in 2007 and offers flights to Glasgow, Scotland. Next up: Adding service to Portugal, Belgium and possibly Spain by midyear. “We’re starting to mature nicely,” Gouldthorpe says.
» Enrique Todd, a 20-year veteran of Albuquerque, N.M.-based Roses Southwest Papers, which reported more than $80 million in sales in 2007, moved to Central Florida two years ago when the company purchased the former Unicell paper mill in Sanford, now the home of sister operation Roses Southeast Papers. The suppliers of tissue, towels, napkins and other products count Darden Restaurants, McDonald’s and Burger King among their customers. The local operation employs 44 and is looking to expand by 20 this year.
SEMINOLE COUNTY
Economic activity has slowed, “but there’s still churn in the marketplace,” says Bill McDermott, the county’s economic development director. Two projects to watch: The expansion of United Kingdom-based military simulation company SEOS, which is moving manufacturing operations to Seminole; and a move by the Institute of Internal Auditors, currently in Altamonte Springs, to a bigger world headquarters in Heathrow; the $14-million project is expected to increase jobs and bring more international visitors to the area.
LEADER
» John Ashworth, executive director for Leadership Seminole and former program director at Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce, took over the president/CEO spot of the Seminole County Regional Chamber last year after Diane Parker retired.
