Orlando Economic Partnership

?? 407 Day Celebrates 5th Anniversary – Now Including 321! ?? This year marks the 5th anniversary of 407 Day, and it’s bigger than ever! What started as a way to support our local economy through tough times has blossomed into a proud tradition, highlighting the incredible talent and creativity that make Central Florida so special. ?? In a special twist this year, we’re also celebrating 321 — expanding the love and recognition for the entire region’s vibrant spirit. The fun kicks off on March 21 and spans TWO WEEKS, packed with exclusive deals and special events from your favorite local businesses. ????? ?? Digital Passbook Alert: Access all the discounts and offers with the new digital passbook. It’s never been easier to support local! Let’s come together, show our pride, and celebrate everything that makes Central Florida amazing! ?? When we support local, we strengthen our community. ?? Let’s make this 407 Day (and 321!) unforgettable! ?? Read more and support local: https://bit.ly/4bNt87f

Every week there’s more exciting news coming out from our region. #UnbelievablyReal?

“Central Florida is a prime location for tech companies looking to grow and innovate,” Partnership CEO and President Tim Giuliani said in a press release. Temenos’ selection of the region will strengthen “our reputation as the destination for innovation in financial services,” he added. Thank you Orlando Tech News for the coverage of Temenos U.S. Innovation Hub coming to our region.

?? We need YOUR voice! Take this survey today?? Every week, 1,000 people are added to the Orlando region’s population. That growth brings opportunity. Tim Giuliani discusses in the Orlando Sentinel the responsibility to build a future that’s intentional, inclusive, and sustainable. That’s where Orlando 2045 comes in. Now it’s your turn to weigh in. ?? Take the Orlando 2045 Community Survey today and help guide the priorities that will shape Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties for generations to come. ?? Share this. Invite your neighbors. Let’s build the future we all want — together. #Orlando2045 #UnbelievablyReal?

Exciting News for Orlando’s Tech and Workforce Growth! LightPath Technologies has made a huge move, expanding its workforce in Orlando following its $27M acquisition of G5 Infrared LLC! This expansion means more job opportunities for our local community, with positions ranging from technicians to engineers, all thanks to partnerships with local colleges like UCF and Valencia College. ? ?? Positions range from $35K-$83K, and the company is set to generate an impressive $55M in revenue from defense contracts with major players like Lockheed Martin and L3Harris. ?? LightPath is also pushing the boundaries of innovation with its proprietary BlackDiamond optical glass, a domestic alternative to Germanium metal, with major applications in defense tech. This is a big win for #Orlando, #UCF, and the #techcommunity. Let’s celebrate the future of innovation and growth right here in our backyard! #UnbelievablyReal??? Read more: https://bit.ly/4bxXWc0

Big things happening in Orlando! Tim Giuliani talks about how this week we welcomed the Site Selectors Guild with a luncheon hosted by OEP, SelectFlorida Duke Energy Corporation, Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC - The Reliable One) and other partners – showcasing Florida’s business growth. They were able to interact with our first-of-its-kind Regional Digital Twin and engage with the innovative military virtual reality training company HAVIK VR. We also launched the new Top 30 MSA Comparison Tool showing how Orlando ranks highly and stacks up against the nation’s top metros in economic growth, business climate, and quality of life. Plus, did you hear that Orlando will host the 2025 MICHELIN Guide celebration on April 17 at the Four Seasons Resort at Walt Disney World! We are definitely a recignized foodie city! Follow us for more at Orlando Economic Partnership and Orlando.org.

?? A big win for the Orlando region and Florida!? This week, we had the privilege of hosting a special luncheon for the Site Selectors Guild—a global network of top site selection consultants—at our offices. ??? The luncheon brought together 50+ industry leaders, economic developers, and investment professionals to showcase why Orlando and Florida are prime destinations for business investment and growth. ?? In collaboration with Select Florida, The Florida Economic Development Council, Duke Energy, Florida Power and Light, Tampa Electric, and other statewide partners, we highlighted the unique strengths of our region. ?? Attendees experienced our cutting-edge Orlando Regional Digital Twin, showcasing how we use data to create a dynamic, real-time virtual model of the city for better decision-making. We also introduced Havik, a local VR training company revolutionizing Department of Defense systems with distributive operator-driven solutions. ?? Special thanks to everyone who helped make this event a success and provided the Site Selectors Guild with an unforgettable experience. Your support continues to highlight why Florida is a leader in business and innovation!

St. Cloud is growing—and the future looks bright! ???? The 2025 St. Cloud Economic Forecast Breakfast brought together local leaders to dive into workforce development, business expansion, and economic trends shaping the region. ????♀? OEP’s Neil Hamilton shared an economic outlook for St. Cloud and Central Florida, while CareerSource Central Florida’s Nilda Blanco highlighted the impact of job training and talent development. ??? A dynamic panel featuring OUC ?, the Hispanic Chamber ??, and Orlando Health St. Cloud ?? shared real-world insights on navigating today’s economy. We’re proud to be part of these conversations driving opportunity and growth! ?? Read more: https://bit.ly/4ihz36Q

? Introducing the Top 30 MSA Comparison Tool for Orlando! ? Thanks to a grant from the Duke Energy Corporation, we've developed a game-changing resource: the Top 30 MSA Comparison Tool. This powerful tool allows users to compare Orlando with the 29 other largest U.S. regions across key business factors like cost of living, infrastructure, workforce, and more. Whether you're a business owner, investor, or community leader, this tool is designed to help you make data-driven decisions about Orlando's position in the national market. ???? We’re thrilled to launch this resource and look forward to supporting the growth and opportunities for our region. Let’s keep moving Orlando forward! See more about the tool: https://lnkd.in/dN-7y6Ve

Thank you to all the women in the Orlando region who help our mission to advance Broad-based Prosperity. Your leadership inspire us every day. A special thank you to OEP's Board Chair Rena Langley and our past board chairs Yolanda Londo?o and Sandy Hostetter and all the women in OEP's staff.