RealTime Immersive, a newly-established simulation industry software and support company, announced this past week that they have established their headquarters in Orange County. The organization is off to a good start; they serve as North America's exclusive representative for CryENGINE® in the serious games and simulation market space, which is a critically-acclaimed game engine developed by Germany-based, award-winning game development studio Crytek.
RealTime Immersive has leased space in Avalon Park, where they intend to take advantage of their new headquarter location's proximity to UCF to tap into the region's skilled technology workforce as they look to build the company in Metro Orlando.
Company CEO John Brooks indicates that the decision was made to locate the company here based on our region's established industry strengths in defense simulation, medical simulation and digital media. "Orlando's proximity to the joint military commands and the fact that I/ITSEC [major defense simulation industry conference] is held here every year were major contributing factors in our decision to locate in Orlando," says Brooks. "We determined that this was THE place to be."
The Metro Orlando EDC assisted RealTime Immersive with commercial real estate and other local resource needs. We look forward to watching this dynamic new company grow.
The center, to be located at the new Orlando VA Medical Complex, will serve as the nationwide training and planning home for the VA's new medical simulation system, making our region the focal point for improved care and treatment of veterans across the country.
The Lake Nona site was selected for its unique collaborative environment and ability to partner with the surrounding UCF College of Medicine, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando and Nemours Children's Hospital.
On Monday, February 15, an independent feature film, "Homecoming", will begin shooting in Celebration. Produced by About the Logo, LLC, "Homecoming" is a story of an Army medic who is home on leave from Afghanistan. During her time home, she has to deal with changing relationships with her family, friends and community.
The film will be shooting February 15 - mid-March at locations mainly in Celebration but also in Kissimmee.
The film industry is very competitive and is largely driven by incentives. And as the Florida Legislature prepares to return for the 2010 Session, film industry professionals are focused on working to convert the current statewide incentive into a tax credit. For more information, visit http://filmorlando.com/Resources/hb697.stml.
Tech industry powerhouses from throughout Central Florida - including NASA, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, SAIC, Boeing, Harris Corporation, Naval Air Warfare Center, U.S. Army PEO-STRI, Disney, and Cox Marketing - have joined with the University of Central Florida, Manufacturers Association of Central Florida and Florida Virtual School to encourage study in science, technology, engineering and math.
This impressive coalition represents the charter members of the Central Florida STEM Education Council (CFSEC), which will be based at the UCF Business Incubation Program in the Central Florida Research Park.
Their end goal is to prepare and entice pre-college students to enter technical fields of study and, ultimately, to pursue high-tech jobs in Central Florida. Efforts will be directed at students in Orange, Seminole, Lake, Osceola, Brevard, Volusia, Polk and Flagler counties.
Despite the recession, the demand for qualified technical workers remains high in Central Florida. This initiative will help address that demand well into the future.
The recent Florida Jobs Summit, hosted by Senator Mike Haridopolos and House Speaker-elect Dean Cannon here in Orlando, brought leaders in business, government, education and labor together to focus on ideas to help boost investment, economic growth and job creation in the Sunshine State.
This interactive public forum provided an opportunity for concerned business leaders and citizens from throughout the State of Florida to provide input directly to state legislators as the head into they 2010 Legislative Session. Suggestions for accelerating job creation ranged from short term, such as suspending the increase in Florida's Unemployment Compensation Tax; to the long term, such as developing new, non-tax sources of revenue to invest in development of human capital and infrastructure; to the political, such as a call to defeat the proposed Constitutional Amendment 4 known as Hometown Democracy.
Stakeholder input was also vital to development of Enterprise Florida's (EFI) newly released five year plan "The Roadmap to Florida's Future" In establishing priorities for this plan, Enterprise Florida, our statewide economic development organization, gathered input from citizens and community stakeholders throughout the state over the last year - in both public forums and through an interactive Web site.
The EFI plan includes 24 sets of recommendations to help establish Florida as a leader in the global innovation economy, including strategies for industry cluster development, workforce development, business climate improvement, and expanded global marketing. To view the plan, visit http://www.eflorida.com/roadmap.
It's the first week of a new year, which means many of us have made our "live a healthier lifestyle" new year's resolution. Well, Orlando might be just the place to do it!
As the rest of the world is beginning to discover, Metro Orlando is leading the way in the trendy field of lifestyle and preventive medicine. Our region is already home to several renowned lifestyle fitness facilities - including the National Training Center, led by Central Florida native and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Dr. Dot Richardson; Celebration Health Assessment, a proponent of the CREATION Health lifestyle program; the Rippe Lifestyle Institute; and the Center for Lifestyle Medicine at the University of Central Florida, both of which are led by Dr. James Rippe, one of the leading authorities on preventive cardiology, health and fitness, and healthy weight loss in the United States.
Those are all good starting places for resolution makers.
Scientific leaders in our region are also focused on future advances in this realm. For example, a recent article by M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando oncologists, published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, points to lifestyle interventions that can prevent and treat various types of cancer. The article looks at five cancers - lung, colon and rectal, breast, prostate and skin - that have causes that are lifestyle based and controllable through alterations in human behavior.
In addition, the primary focus of research at the new Burnham Institute for Medical Research at Lake Nona is on combating diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease - health problems that are often avoidable or manageable through lifestyle adaptations. To help put these research lessons quickly into practice, Burnham has teamed with Orlando-headquartered Florida Hospital to establish a Clinical Research Institute where the two organizations will work together to conduct translational research, creating a bridge between the lab and the bedside.
Could Metro Orlando one day become the healthiest region in the nation? Dr. Rippe thinks so. "You have to start somewhere... Why not Orlando?" he says. "Orlando has tremendous advantages going for it. There's the year-round warm climate; it has a powerful and large university; it has a new medical city being planned; and it also has a very visionary healthcare community... There are so many things that point to Orlando as being the ideal place for this."
New year, new you, new industry for Metro Orlando. That's a resolution worth keeping!
To read more in the latest issue of the EDC's Texture magazine: click here and here.
Women in Film and Television Florida's recent "Jingle Mingle" event gave the EDC's Metro Orlando Film & Entertainment Commission a chance to do some filming of its own. We asked attendees a question to help in our ongoing promotion of this region as a location for their industry -- Why do you find Metro Orlando a great place for film and entertainment production? -- and captured their responses for posting on our YouTube channel.
Jules Keeley, a local freelance production coordinator/ manager, responded enthusiastically: "Our crews can compare with any in the world...plus we have the resources, infrastructure and the Florida lifestyle."
More praise rolled in from MedStar, the production company behind TV's Forensic Files, which has twice filmed episodes in Metro Orlando in recent months. "The crew is nice and the best we work with, no attitudes, and they know their jobs ... the locations are all great to work with, friendly and Orlando has the look of anywhere we need to duplicate ... We love it here. We will be back in 2010."
Industry satisfaction is important and translates into increased business for the region. In fact, film permits are being processed in increasing numbers by the EDC's Film & Entertainment Commission. Here are a few recent examples:
TV Commercials - Jackson Hewitt, Olive Garden, US Census
Television Series - Forensic Files, Dr. G: Medical Examiner, MTV's 16 & Pregnant
Feature/Independent Films - Touching Lives, Overlap
Up next? The EDC's Film and Entertainment Commission heads to Sundance Film Festival in January to promote Orlando as a location for independent films, and to Washington, D.C. for the Reel Screen Summit to promote Orlando as a site for non-fiction television production.
On the Legislative front, the EDC's Legislative Committee will support our Film Commission's efforts to advocate for incentives designed to keep Florida competitive as a film industry hub. The main push this year is to turn the state's film incentive into a tax credit, which is the industry standard in the U.S.
The nurturing of Florida-based businesses, especially those in the second-stage of development (who historically have the greatest potential for percentage growth in revenue and employment), is the goal behind Florida's Economic Gardening Stimulus Plan, which was announced earlier this year. This plan, titled GrowFL, is now taking root ... and Metro Orlando is leading the way.
Funded by the Florida Legislature for a one-year trial period, the GrowFL program will be based at the University of Central Florida's new Florida Economic Gardening Institute (FEGI). Designed to serve as a statewide resource center for established Florida companies with 10 to 50 employees, the program will help qualified companies within this size range expand and create additional jobs. Already up and running, the GrowFL Center provides free businesses consulting and access to proven tools purchased for this purpose.
For companies within Metro Orlando who want to apply for technical assistance, the Metro Orlando EDC serves as the single point of contact. The EDC team is already working to identify companies that qualify and to lead them through the assessment process. Our effort serves as the pilot for what we expect will be a statewide network of regional organizations serving as local facilitators for the GrowFL program.
Recognizing that direct assistance programs such as this are a key to economic recovery, the EDC is working closely with our counterparts statewide to encourage Legislative support for the continuation of this program beyond its first year pilot status. We are also encouraging expansion of the definition of a qualified company to include companies with 50 to 100 employees, which would be consistent with the successful economic gardening program in Littleton, Colorado.
Two local companies are already on the verge of being selected for full assistance through GrowFL, and we expect between 30 to 50 additional local companies to receive some level of assistance this year. Ultimately, with the right nurturing, one of these "stage 2" companies could become this region's next Lockheed Martin or Darden Restaurants or HD Supply, which, we all know, bloomed from much more humble roots in our community.
From the creation of simulated trauma patients used to train military medics, to virtual 3D people used to diagnose and treat patients, the place to be for some of the latest gaming and digital media technology for health and medical applications is Orlando, Florida.
Orlando is one of the top 12 clusters in the country for digital media, as well as one of only two cities in the world with a large-scale 'medical city' complex underway. The digital media and medical sectors are converging, bringing new innovations to life. Numerous people and organizations are leading the way.
* 360Ed has teamed up with the Florida Department of Health and the University of Florida College of Medicine to develop Burn Center, an interactive, 3D, game-based technology used to train medical professionals at trauma centers, hospitals and universities across the country. The purpose of the program is to improve the triage and care of critically injured victims of burn, bomb and blast disasters.
* To become better doctors, the new University of Central Florida College of Medicine is engaging its first class of medical school students in playing games. A web-based avatar program developed by UCF Assistant Professor David Segal is helping students learn how to properly evaluate and diagnose a variety of patient ailments. The digital patients can respond to questions, sneeze, cough, age and even call students in the middle of the night with an illness.
* Engineering & Computer Simulations Inc. (ECS) developed a virtual world called Nexus to help first responders train and collaborate during natural disasters. The company also has a contract with the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM) to train military medical professionals.
* Emergency Medicine Learning & Resource Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and advancing emergency medicine, disaster management, pre-hospital emergency care and public health by providing annual continuing medical education and research activities. Its 45-foot Mobile Simulation Lab (motor coach) trains emergency providers around the state. The Lab utilizes simulation technologies to train real lifesavers on everything from ER care, to pandemic flu, nerve agents, blast
injuries and more.
* Virtual Reality Medical Center (VRMC) merges special effects with simulation technology at its Center for Injury Creation Science. Attracted to Metro Orlando because of the strength of the region's simulation and training industry combined with the University of Central Florida College of Medicine, the company develops prosthetic tissue and wounds for medical training purposes, among several other focus areas. These prosthetics can be adhered to mannequins or human actors and create a
realistic training environment for combat medics or first responders.
There is a reason that Orlando has been named among the nation's best locations for minority-owned businesses. This young, dynamic community embraces novel ideas, diverse perspectives and new faces. Look closer! You'll see why forward-thinking companies, visionary entrepreneurs and talented workers from all walks of life come to Orlando to find opportunity and success.
From a nurturing entrepreneurial environment, to a diverse and economically thriving marketplace, to a can't-be-beat quality of life, Orlando has the assets and features that are drawing people of all ethnic backgrounds from all over the globe.
* Recently ranked as the third fastest growing metro area for the African-American and Asian-American populations.
* Ranks third in the nation for African-American net migration; minorities make up one-third of Central Florida's population.
* By 2020, nearly half of the region's residents will be African-American, Hispanic and Asian-American.
* Numerous Orlando-based companies, including Walt Disney World Resorts, Darden Restaurants and Lockheed Martin, are national leaders in providing diversity programs and initiatives.
* Orlando is considered a "Melting Pot", which is defined by the Census as a region with more than one minority group overrepresented and a white population smaller than 67.4% of the population.
Metro Orlando is a region on the move for African-American entrepreneurs and business leaders with more than 11,000 black-owned businesses currently operating here. Many of our most successful businesses are led by African Americans, including:
* Ronald Blocker - superintendent, Orange County Public Schools
* Brian Butler - president and CEO of JCB Construction
* Mark Glover - president and CEO of M & S Enterprises LLC
* Tony Jenkins - market president, Central Florida of Blue Cross Blue Shield Florida
* Robert Johnson -- founder of Black Entertainment Television, acquired Metro Bank in Orlando and renamed it Urban Trust, the first branch of a network that will serve African-American communities nationwide.
* Avido Khahaifa - senior vice president and general manager, Orlando Sentinel Communications
* Derek Lewis - senior vice president and general manager, Pepsi Bottling Corporation
* William Miller, Jr. - president and shareholder - Moore Stephens Lovelace, P.A.
* Clarence Otis -- CEO of Orlando-based Darden Restaurants, the largest casual dining company in the world, a Fortune 500 company and recently named as "one of the best companies for diversity" by Black Enterprise Magazine.
* Ronald Rogers - African-American Chamber of Commerce
* Mark Russell -- managing editor of the Orlando Sentinel.
The Metro Orlando EDC believes it's important to even further diversify our region. That's why we started the Minority Channel initiative - it's aimed at recruiting minority-owned and led businesses to Metro Orlando. And, that is exactly what we'll be doing this weekend during the Florida Classic Game. This provides the opportunity for the EDC team to spend time with several c-suite executives interested in expansion opportunities. Similar EDC activities target other minority owned and led businesses on an ongoing basis.
The Metro Orlando EDC was recently recognized for our Minority Channel Initiative in the 2009 Beacon Awards which honor Central Florida organizations and leaders who make workforce diversity a priority.
In addition to the Metro Orlando EDC, several organizations assist in enhancing the local environment for minority-owned businesses:
* African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida
* Black Business Investment Fund
* Florida Minority Supplier Development Council
* Metropolitan Orlando Urban League
* Minority/Women Business Enterprise Alliance
The Emergency Medicine Learning & Resource Center (EMLRC) - a national non-profit organization headquartered in Orlando that is dedicated to promoting
public health - has developed a planning tool to help business owners and managers prepare their companies and employees for the impact of the H1N1 flu virus and other natural and man-made disasters. Titled the Business Continuity and Disaster Preparedness Plan, this tool was developed with small to medium-sized businesses in mind. It provides a brief but thorough process for thinking through strategies to handle impacts of a flu outbreak, or any other situation disruptive to standard business operations. To download the planning document, click here.
Founded in 1990 by the Florida College of Emergency Physicians, EMLRC provides continuing education and training to more than 5,000 EMS professionals each year. The company, a recognized leader in the growing field of medical simulation, also operates SimLab, one of the nation's first Mobile Simulation Laboratories which is designed to provide training in a simulated ER and ambulance environment on wheels. Below, CEO Beth Brunner explains what the company does and gives a tour of SimLab.
Going green is not only good for the planet, according to a new study completed for Orange County, it's also good for the job market.
Clean Technology - an emerging field focused on technology innovations that reduce environmental impacts - is a $284 billion global market that is expected to reach over $1.3 trillion by 2017. Recognizing the potential of this emerging industry to economic growth and job creation, Central Florida is among regions worldwide working to develop a cleantech cluster.
Establishing a game plan to accomplish that task was the purpose of the Orange County Cleantech Study, which was authored by the University of Central Florida's Institute for Economic Competitiveness. The report proposes a 17-point action plan, including the following: increase access to capital by creating targeted cleantech funds; create grants as incentives for research and commercialization of new technologies; enact comprehensive green building codes and ordinances; and expand partnerships within the community, including establishment of a Cleantech Leadership Council and Green Jobs Committee.
In issuing the report, Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty noted that existing support for the industry on a local and statewide level, natural resources, and award-winning research facilities (such as UCF's Florida Solar Energy Center) already located in Central Florida will contribute to the county's goal of making this region a hub for cleantech. Emphasizing the long term job creation potential of this strategy, the Mayor added: "We can turn green into gold."
John Lewis, Orange County economic development administrator, added: "Cleantech is the next wave of innovation and job creation in the country. Regions that take advantage of that are going to be successful."
"Florida's investment in the life science industry is now paying back like our own economic stimulus package," said Dr. John Reed, president & CEO, Burnham Institute for Medical Research. Dr. Reed went on to thank the community and state leaders for making his and other life science research institutes' location in Florida possible. His remarks came during the official dedication of Burnham's Lake Nona campus this week.
(left to right) Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer; Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty; Dr. John Reed; Raesesh Thakker; Malin Burnham; Florida Governor Charlie Crist; Dr. Dan Kelly
Hundreds of business and community leaders gathered to celebrate as the first facility in the new Medical City at Lake Nona became fully operational. In addition to Reed, dedication speakers included Florida Governor Charlie Crist; Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer; Orange County Mayor Richard T. Crotty; Rasesh Thakkar, senior managing partner of the Tavistock Group; Malin Burnham, philanthropist and chairman of Burnham's Board of Trustees; and Dr. Daniel Kelly, scientific director at Burnham Lake Nona.
(left to right) Burnham's George T. Lucier, Dr. John Reed, and Dr. Dan Kelly
After the dedication, attendees toured the new 175,000-square-foot scientific facility, which will ultimately house 30 head researchers plus 300 scientists and staff. The Lake Nona facility will focus, in particular, on advances in combating diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. Already the state-of-the-art facility includes an ultra-high throughput screening center, one of only four NIH-funded comprehensive chemical screening centers in the country, complete with three robotic arms capable of conducting more than one million experiments per day. These sophisticated tools, along with a commitment to collaborative research, will enable Burnham scientists to move discoveries from bench to bedside more quickly than ever before.
Burnham's gratitude and commitment to this community came through loud and clear; while Central Florida's pride in this accomplishment - which, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer reminded us, had happened within a span of just three years- was evident and widespread. Perhaps Rasesh Thakker, Senior Managing Director of Tavistock Group, summed it up best: "Today we revel in what has been accomplished."
Here, Dr. John Reed explains Orlando's spirit of collaboration impressed the Burnham Institute.
Orlando, Florida, is one of the fastest growing regions in the country for Hispanics according to the Pew Hispanic Center. And Hispanic Heritage Month - which runs from September 15 to October 15 - is an opportunity to remind us of the contributions Hispanics have made to our community and our nation. Throughout the month, there are several celebrations taking place, including the Orlando Hispanic Film Festival.
Metro Orlando's diversity, combined with our region's reputation as a community that welcomes those from all backgrounds and walks of life, provides a competitive advantage in attracting minority owned and led businesses. Building on the belief that a culturally diverse community makes good business sense, the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission (EDC) established a Minority Channel initiative aimed at encouraging minority owned and led businesses in targeted industries to consider Orlando as the site of choice for relocation or expansion.
A new partnership between Florida Hospital and the Burnham Institute for Medical Research at Lake Nona brings two powerhouse organizations together to tackle the growing health problems of diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. The goal of the two organizations, who are collaborating to establish a new health research institute, is to bridge the distance between research in the lab and treatment at the bedside.
Dr. Steve R. Smith, an internationally-renowned diabetes and obesity researcher, was introduced on Monday as the executive director of the new Florida Hospital - Burnham Clinical Research Institute. The Institute, scheduled to open in 2012, will be housed in a 35,000 square foot building on Princeton Street. Located adjacent to the Florida Hospital South Campus, the new facility will serve as the gateway to Florida Hospital's "Health Village".
"With this partnership, we hope to change how diabetes and obesity research is conducted," said Dr. Steven R. Smith. "This new institute will help break down the distance that exists between research and the clinic and help make it possible to deliver results faster and on a personalized level."
Community and business leaders, who gathered for the announcement on Monday, lauded this as another milestone for the fast-emerging life science cluster that is transforming the Metro Orlando economy.
Attraction, retention, creation. Those "big three" strategies in economic development are all equally important to growing and diversifying an economy.
Here in Metro Orlando, the creation component of this three-pronged approach most often begins when an entrepreneur with a good idea finds his or her way to the University of Central Florida's Business Incubation Network. Since its founding in 1999, this UCF program, which was named best in the nation in 2004, has helped more than 100 emerging companies (including nearly 70 current clients) create over $500 million in annual revenue and more than 1,600 new jobs.
And more is on the way. Last week, UCF, the City of St. Cloud and Osceola County broke ground on its Business, Technology and Research Center, which will be located at Stevens Plantation in St. Cloud. Upon opening in early 2010, the new 14,000 square feet facility will be the 8th in the University's Incubator Network. In a reflection of true partnership, Osceola County has committed $675,000 in funding to the Incubator over a five year period, and the county's economic development team will work closely with UCF in marketing this great new resource.
The UCF Business Incubator - Lake County/Leesburg is another recent addition to the network. This facility, whose newest client is Green Solar Solutions, focuses on supporting growth of companies in three of Lake County's targeted industry sectors: clean tech, agritech, and life sciences. Along with mentoring and management counseling, incubator clients are provided with office furniture, equipment, and other resources to help get them off on the right foot. The Small Business Development Center and Florida High Tech Corridor Council are also partners in this Lake County-based program.
The network is growing in Seminole County as well. Already home to a facility in Winter Springs, UCF announced plans to open the UCF/Sanford Business Incubator at 110 West First Street. The 4,000-square-foot space will be located in the center of Sanford's historic district. Like the others, this program will focus on emerging business enterprises that exhibit potential for growth and development. The Sanford facility is slated to open in September 2009.
According to Tom O'Neal, executive director of the Incubator network: "Our job is to help businesses create jobs. Business incubation is an efficient strategy to help improve the local economy, and the benefits are long-lasting."
The Metro Orlando EDC works closely with O'Neal and each of his facility directors to support growing companies throughout the incubation period and beyond. Our shared goal is ensuring the right environment and resources necessary to help companies build and stand on their own, eventually resulting in thousands of new jobs for citizens throughout Metro Orlando.
Did you know that one in six companies based in Metro Orlando is owned by a woman? Celebrating the impact of women-owned businesses, as well as the increasing number that are women-led, was the goal of an EDC gathering attended by over 100 of those dynamic female executives on Thursday.
Hosted in conjunction with the Orlando Business Journal, the morning reception honored past and recent recipients of the OBJ's "Women Who Mean Business" awards. It also provided an opportunity to introduce participants to the EDC's Minority Business Channel, an initiative designed to target and attract additional minority and women-owned businesses to Metro Orlando, as well as helping those already located here to grow and succeed.
Highlights of the morning included remarks from Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney World, an inspiring executive at the pinnacle of her career, as well as from Rachel Pohl, a nineteen-year-old Hamilton College student studying the status of women in developing countries, who represents the "next generation" of female leaders in our community.
Metro Orlando's demographic diversity leads the nation. This, combined with our region's reputation as a community that welcomes those from all backgrounds and walks of life, provides a competitive advantage in attracting minority and women-led businesses. And that's a smart economic development strategy, as these groups comprise the fastest growing segment of industry today.
For more information on the EDC's Minority Channel, contact Rodney Hughes.
There's Mosaic, Arcadian Broad and Drew Thomas Magic. If you're not familiar with these names, they're among the folks that made it to the Top 40 in the popular America's Got Talent show. They have something else in common. They all come from a city where creative talent is building ... and in the eyes of Richard Florida (of the popular 'Creative Class' theory), that's one of the key ingredients to economic competitiveness, transformation and innovation.
Orlando, Florida, has become a place where creative talent is flowing and in multiple industries. The region, long known as an entertainment destination, has transformed into a technology hub that's entertaining company leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, workers and young minds alike. Here are some reasons why:
This week, Orlando welcomed its inaugural class of 41 med students at the University of Central Florida's (UCF) new College of Medicine -- the first medical school in U.S. history to offer full, four-year scholarships to an entire class. The new college is one anchor in a new 'medical city' underway - one of only two such developments happening in the world right now. It's joined by the recently opened East Coast hub for The Burnham Institute for Medical Research, and forthcoming openings of the University of Florida Research Facility, Veterans Affairs Hospital, M.D. Anderson Cancer Research Institute and Nemours Children's Hospital. Economic analysts predict that by year 10 of operation, the world's newest life sciences cluster here could create 30,000 jobs and $7.6 billion economic activity.
At UCF, research and patents are on the rise. UCF, now the fifth largest university in the nation, has seen research funding (and subsequent lab space) grow exponentially in the past decade, from $37.5 million in 1999 to the new record high of $122.8 million in 2008. Additionally, UCF's patent portfolio was ranked in the top 10 of 122 universities in the U.S.
Inventors, scientists and entrepreneurs are thriving here. New drugs, therapies and vaccines are being developed ... one scientist is genetically modifying lettuce heads to produce insulin in the quest to develop a cure for diabetes. An entrepreneur has developed ultra-portable personal air-conditioners for military personnel. Another is developing advanced micro-batteries for use in medical, alternative energy and other applications. In addition, the number of incubators has grown rapidly here, opening the door to more entrepreneurs.
A new Photonics Academy was created at a local high school in partnership with Northrop Grumman to encourage student interest in the laser/photonics field. This new academy joins others already in existence, including one focusing on simulation (an industry with a top-ranked cluster in Orlando).
Nation-leading digital media schools in Orlando-- Full Sail University and UCF's Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy -- continue to see enrollment grow in this burgeoning field.
Entrepreneur Magazine recently recognized Orlando as one of best places to start a business. Forbes recently recognized Orlando one of best cities for tech jobs. And Next Generation Consulting ranked Orlando as a top hot spot for young professionals.
It is with great pride that Metro Orlando witnesses the opening of the University of Central Florida's College of Medicine today, Monday, August 3rd, a monumental event that will help define the future of our region. But as we commemorate this historic first, we should also remember that this is only the latest in almost five decades of impact that our hometown university has had on building our local economy.
Last week's CEO Roundtable luncheon, a quarterly event of the Metro Orlando EDC, featured Dr. John Hitt, president of the University of Central Florida (UCF). Dr. Hitt focused his remarks on how the university has partnered with business to create a stronger economy. The more than 100 local CEO's in attendance learned what has earned UCF its reputation as "America's leading partnership university." From preparing the workforce needed by local companies; to shaping the research and curriculums that have attracted simulation, digital media, photonics, energy, and now life science companies to our region; to incubating entrepreneurial companies until they are ready to stand on their own; to unique partnerships with the U.S. Department of Defense and with mega-companies like Siemens and Burnham ... this region has been in a large part shaped by the strengths and leadership of the University of Central Florida.
Now the fifth largest university in the nation, UCF has come a long way since it opened as Florida Technological University (FTU) in 1963. Dr. Hitt perhaps summed the significance of this institution up best when he stated, "When you look at what we've accomplished already, there is no limit to the possibilities."
Believe it or not, there are some people out there who don't believe Metro Orlando is "edgy" enough for them. Those of us who live and work here know better. And a new Web landing page developed by the EDC's marketing team is designed to show the dynamic nature of this community through the eyes of those who know it best: A robust downtown night life. A rich arts underground. Off-the-beaten path enclaves. Year-round outdoor activities. Diverse people from diverse backgrounds with diverse interests.
Many EDC investors have contributed to this undertaking, which we've deemed "Orlando Rocks." The promotional portal links to specially designed Twitter, Flickr, and YouTube accounts, as well as providing an array of other information that gives a close-up look at what sets our region apart - from Mt. Dora to St. Cloud, and all points in between. While developed in response to a specific client request, the new format will have many uses as we work to promote Metro Orlando as a place that is "putting imagination to work."
Signs of economic development success have been seen on many fronts the past couple of weeks. Here is a round up of images reflecting some of the highlights.
Game Launched Florida Governor Charlie Crist got an up-close look at our region's booming digital media industry. He visited Electronic Arts' (EA) Tiburon (pictured above) in Maitland - getting a preview of EA's highly-anticipated NCAA Football 10, which was released last week; the University of Central Florida's (UCF) Center for Emerging Media in downtown Orlando - chatting with students and visiting the House of Moves motion capture studio; and the Employ Florida Digital Media Banner Center located at Seminole Community College's Center for Economic Development in Heathrow.
Dirt Flew New ground was broken at the Central Florida Research Park recently, as representatives from the University of Central Florida, Florida Legislature and Orlando-based military commands gathered to celebrate the start of construction on the Partnership III building. When complete in fall 2010, this building will be shared by UCF and the military, and home to the UCF Institute for Simulation & Training. It will also be "green"; as Partnership III is designed to meet at least the silver level of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. To watch the UCF Reports YouTube video on the project, click here.
Film Wrapped DNP Studios wrapped production on the feature film Letters to God, scheduled for release in early 2010. The film, which employed over 100 local crew and talent, was shot at multiple locations in Orlando, including Universal Studios Florida, Winter Garden and Kissimmee. The EDC's Film & Entertainment Commission assisted with scouting, permitting and other support services.
Orlando has received a plethora of accolades lately. From a "top place to start a business" to "where the jobs are" to "best place to live" and beyond. Here are a few of the rankings Orlando has received:
Money magazine ranks Lake County, FL #8 on their newest list of "where the jobs are," a compilation of the 25 counties that have experienced the most job growth over the last eight years.
The cities of Lake Mary and Oviedo are named among Money magazine's "Top 100 Best Places to Live" in the magazine's list of America's best small towns.
Forbes names Orlando a "best city for technology jobs", noting: "Where is the tech-sector growth? It's in less-celebrated areas of the country...By region, the fastest gainers turned out to be places like Orlando, Fla."
Florida ranks fourth in the nation in terms of high-tech employment, with 20,000 doctoral scientists and engineers and more than 276,000 high-tech workers, according to a report by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Global Intellectual Property Center.
Orlando is a "hotspot for young professionals" to live and work in the U.S. according to Next Generation Consulting. Since 1998, Next Generation Consulting has studied the relocation patterns of 20-40 year olds. Young professionals increasingly look for quality of life factors when deciding where to live. Next Generation Consulting ranked the cities based on a combined index of opportunities for earning, learning, vitality, around town, after hours, cost of lifestyle and social capital.
From the creation of simulated trauma patients used to train military medics, to virtual 3D people used to diagnose and treat patients, the place to be for some of the latest gaming and digital media technology for health and medical applications is Orlando, Florida.
Orlando is one of the top 12 clusters in the country for digital media, as well as one of only two cities in the world with a large-scale 'medical city' complex underway. The digital media and medical sectors are converging, bringing new innovations to life. Numerous people and organizations are leading the way.
360Ed has teamed up with the Florida Department of Health and the University of Florida College of Medicine to develop Burn Center, an interactive, 3D, game-based technology used to train medical professionals at trauma centers, hospitals and universities across the country. The purpose of the program is to improve the triage and care of critically injured victims of burn, bomb and blast disasters.
Virtual Reality Medical Center - Orlando (VRMC) develops and uses computer-generated simulations and other special effects to treat clients with panic disorder, specific phobias, agoraphobia and social phobia. VRMC has partnered with the University of Central Florida to create a virtual game (featuring flying, smash-able insects) to aid stroke survivors in expanding their range of movement.
To become better doctors, the new University of Central Florida College of Medicine will engage its first class of medical school students in playing games. A web-based avatar program developed by UCF Assistant Professor David Segal will help students learn how to properly evaluate and diagnose a variety of patient ailments. The digital patients can respond to questions, sneeze, cough, age and even call students in the middle of the night with an illness.
Engineering & Computer Simulations Inc. (ECS) developed a virtual world called Nexus to help first responders train and collaborate during natural disasters. The company also has a contract with the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM) to train military medical professionals.
GeoMotion Group is dedicated to being an innovative fitness leader. Its goal is to meet the training needs of individuals and groups, for all fitness levels and for any age. Two innovative products, the GeoMat and the GeoFloat were created to meet this goal. Used in elementary, middle and high schools, the GeoMat is used to teach locomotor moves, number recognition, number sequencing and math problem solving using a variety of activities and aids. The GeoFloat is used for exercising in water and works the core and stabilization muscles more effectively than other existing products.
Emergency Medicine Learning & Resource Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and advancing emergency medicine, disaster management, prehospital emergency care and public health by providing annual continuing medical education and research activities. Its 45-foot Mobile Simulation Lab (motor coach) trains emergency providers around the state. The Lab utilizes simulation technologies to train real lifesavers on everything from ER care, to pandemic flu, nerve agents, blast injuries and more.
The Orlando Magic's run to the NBA Finals has generated a palpable sense of pride in our team and our community. And, while the eyes of the world's basketball faithful are upon us, it also presents a unique opportunity to spotlight what makes this a champion place to live, work, play and build a business. Here's how you can help.
Tell us why ORLANDO WORKS for you in your own 140 characters on Twitter. Is it the quality of life, sense of community, diverse business climate or all of the above? Spread the word while you are glued to the NBA series - from your living room, neighborhood sports pub or from the rocking Amway Arena. Make sure you use #orlandoworks along with #magic or #beatla in your tweets during the upcoming Magic vs. Lakers games. And be sure to follow us @OrlandoWorks. Our goal is to see Orlando as a "trending topic" on Twitter in the days ahead.
We also want you to tell us how ORLANDO WORKS in video. Upload your video to YouTube, click "send message" and send us a link with your video in it. If we like it, we'll add it to our favorites! Our first YouTube star is none other than "the fat guy" - Orlando Magic fan Dennis Salvagio.
Got great photos that reflect the dynamic nature of our region? Shots that show the rest of the world all that metro Orlando has to offer? Post those pictures to our ORLANDO WORKS group on Flickr.
You can also join in the conversation via the Metro Orlando EDC fan page on Facebook. If you are not a fan yet, click here to join us.
Our hometown team has provided an unprecedented opportunity to tell the world about this region, which is as magic for business as it is for basketball. Thanks for your help in spreading the word!
Looking for facts and rankings on Orlando and aren't sure where to find them? Check out Orlando Rocks - the Metro Orlando EDC's newest compilation of reasons why Orlando rocks...for innovation and entrepreneurs, for global business connections, for technology companies, for education and access, for business growth and as a place to call home.
The Metro Orlando EDC's bioOrlando initiative recently unveiled a new "Medical Marker" program designed to celebrate and visually recognize the medical, research and biotech companies that are the cornerstone of Metro Orlando's burgeoning life science industry.
"Medical Markers" will be presented to life science and biotechnology organizations identified by bioOrlando as leaders in scientific research and medical technology, as well as companies who have contributed substantially to the evolution of this industry in Central Florida. Twelve members of the inaugural class of Medical Marker designees will be announced on June 25th at the EDC's Annual Economic Outlook event, which will be held at the Embassy Suites in Downtown Orlando.
To commemorate establishment of this celebratory new program, the first marker designation was given to Florida Hospital Orlando, which this year celebrates its 100-year anniversary in Metro Orlando. Florida Hospital's seven campuses give it a footprint throughout the region, and its Celebration Health Campus was also recognized with a marker. Celebration Health is the site of both the Nicholson Center for Surgical Advancement and Global Robotics Institute.
In addition to a certificate noting Medical Marker designation, a physical "marker" will be developed as a recognizable sign of this honor. To assist in development of this physical symbol - visualized as a form of public art that identifies the organization as part of the "medical destination" in Metro Orlando - the EDC is working with United Arts of Central Florida to invite artists to submit design concepts for the "Medical Marker". Click here to view competition details.
In a time when things to celebrate seem in too short supply, bioOrlando's new "Medical Marker" program will help to point out the bright spots in Metro Orlando's increasingly diverse economy.
With warm weather and consistent sunshine, Florida is an ideal location for solar research and application. And with growing awareness of clean technology, Orlando is poised to become a leading force in the solar industry.
The existence of a strong technology cluster and proximity to the University of Central Florida (UCF) - one of the nation's top research universities - help set Orlando apart. In addition to research being conducted by UCF's Florida Solar Energy Center, local companies are working to leave their mark on the industry as well. Lake Mary based Advanced Solar Photonics is poised to become Florida's first photovoltaic solar manufacturer by producing thin-film solar panels. In nearby Longwood, SKYShades is merging shade structures and solar power by harnessing thin-film solar technology atop sidewalk umbrellas dubbed "Powerbrellas" in order to power small electronics.
For more information on the growing clean tech industry in Metro Orlando, click here.
Watch below as Executive Vice President of SKYShades, Joe McKenna, provides more info on the "Powerbrella."
A newly released report by the University of West Florida's Haas Center for Business Research & Economic Development predicts that 190,000 new and related jobs in the biomedical and defense industries will be created in Florida by 2018. Access MediQuip's recent decision to expand its operations in Lake Mary takes Orlando one step closer to that goal.
Access MediQuip LLC, a $200 million health care firm based in Houston, provides medical implant outsourcing to support surgery centers. The company's specialized and technology-driven services assist manufacturers, payors and providers to manage the acquisition, financing delivery and reimbursement of orthopedic and spinal implants, drug pumps and other medical devices.
Last month, Access moved its 18 Central Florida employees into just under 13,000 sq. ft. in Primera in Lake Mary. That is just the first step. Plans are to grow to a 26,000 sq. ft facility and add 145 new jobs within three years. That translates into over $2.5 million in new capital investment and jobs that pay an average of $60,000 annually.
Other signs of success in Metro Orlando's emerging medical industries include:
Orlando was ranked as a top medical meetings destination by the Healthcare Convention and Exhibitors Association's 2009 State of the Industry Report. Orlando has been the top healthcare meeting location for the last 12 years.
Nemours received full accreditation for its human research protection program from the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs, Inc. This recognition places Nemours among the top research institutions in the United States. A few weeks ago, Nemours Childrens Hospital broke ground in Lake Nona's 'medical city' with plans for completion in 2012.
The newest edition of the EDC's award-winning Texture magazine is here. In this edition, you'll meet some of the rock stars of Metro Orlando. Rather than topping the Billboard charts, this talented group is making their mark as leaders in the new health and bio-tech cluster that is reverberating throughout Metro Orlando's economy. From research in cancer and diabetes, to advances in robotic surgery and mental health therapies, these "top docs" are break out artists in the world of science.
You'll get the dirt on the "economic gardening" trend that is becoming an important component of state and federal economic recovery plans. Much of the national dialogue about the importance of second-stage growth companies to job creation and renewed prosperity is being led by Orlando's Steve Quello, who has advised presidents, governors and legislators and whose theories are being advanced at the University of Central Florida.
This issue also sheds light on Central Florida's position in the growing solar power industry; takes a look at the future of commercial space launches; introduces you to the Creation Health theory of holistic healthcare; and much more. All of this is happening in Metro Orlando!
Published twice annually, the EDC's Texture magazine tells the stories of innovators and innovations from throughout our region. Click here to view Texture online!
The opportunity to seek instruction outside the classroom walls through online education is not a new concept. Most colleges and universities have offered courses over the Internet for the last decade. But today, more and more middle and high school students are using this method of instruction thanks to the Florida Virtual School - an accredited online school serving students in grades 6-12.
The Florida Virtual School currently serves between 55,000 and 70,000 students and offers 90 interactive courses. With the ability to slow down or speed up the curriculum based on individual needs, the program is good for students who are struggling as well as students who want to get ahead. This helps to further expand the scope of Florida's educational programs.
And the newest plans have the Florida Virtual School partnering with Orlando-based 360Ed - a digital media company with the goal of getting students as interested in education as they are in games and movies. Together, they are working to enhance online learning through interactive virtual technology in audio, video, movies and games. The newest innovation, Conspiracy Code, invites students to embark on an "American History Adventure" complete with 10 virtual missions and ongoing instructor feedback.
It is for these reasons and more that the Center for Digital Education recently ranked Florida #1 in the nation when it comes to the state's vision, policies, programs and strategies in online education.
For more on the Florida Virtual School, click here.
Robots - no longer as futuristic as they once seemed - can take many forms, some quite different than the traditional image the word conjures up. And the future of robotics, from healthcare to warfare, is evolving in Metro Orlando's hospitals, companies, military research commands and laboratories.
In fact, it's in the medical field where robots are making some of the biggest advances.
At the Global Robotics Institute at Celebration Health, part of the Florida Hospital network, Dr. Vipul Patel, the world's leading robotic surgeon, utilizes the da Vinci robot to perform minimally-invasive surgeries. In addition, at the Global Robotics Institute, Dr. Patel trains surgeons around the world.
Orlando Health was one of the first medical centers in Florida to have the "Dr. Robot" technology. This robot, formally known as the RP-7, is a nearly human-shaped robot that consists of a video monitor for a face, digital cameras for eyes and microphones for two-way communication. "Dr. Robot" makes it possible for a doctor at a remote location to talk with the patient without actually being there.
And research is underway at the University of Central Florida (UCF). Because robotics is a diverse field that incorporates many different aspects of science and technology, students from a variety of study disciplines gather in the Robotics Laboratory at UCF to conduct research on ground, underwater, surface and aerial vehicles.
For more about Orlando's future in robotics, click here.
Nearly 700 venture capital deals have closed in the State of Florida since 2000, resulting in more than $6.4 billion in total venture capital spending. A new state program hopes to accomplish more of the same. To help lure tech investment to Florida, the State of Florida has created the Florida Opportunity Fund, a multimillion-dollar program that directs investments to high-performing funds committed to seed and early stage businesses. This program seeks to realize significant long-term returns from funds making investments in early stage Florida opportunities.
The Florida Opportunity Fund is a fund of funds established by Enterprise Florida, the state's economic development arm, and managed by Florida First Partners (FFP). The program is designed to build upon investment activities of leading national venture capital investors, such as Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Benchmark Capital and Sycamore Ventures. These firms provide capital to companies focused on developing advanced technologies like surgical robotics design, business intelligence software, defense and aerospace applications, and green methods to create new products out of recyclables.
The first series of applications from state, regional and national venture capital firms to be considered for funds from the program will be accepted through January 30, 2009. Interested participants from the venture capital community should visit www.floridaopportunityfund.com.
Companies and government agencies alike are all looking to cut costs right now. However, they don't want to sacrifice training for employees. The solution? Using virtual worlds for training purposes.
Virtual worlds provide a safe, secure and private training environment while reducing expenses incurred from traveling for conferences and other training.
Here is what three companies in Orlando are doing:
Engineering & Computer Simulations (ECS) is in the process of designing a new virtual classroom which utilizes avatars for instructional delivery that will provide the Department of Homeland Security online/virtual world with 3D secure social network capabilities for training and education. Previously, ECS provided the National Guard Bureau will a virtual world called Nexus. And under a new contract with U.S. Army's RDECOM, ECS will adapt its Nexus virtual world program to train military medical professionals.
Forterra Systems, Inc builds distributed virtual world technology for defense, homeland security, medical, corporate training and education industries. The company's On-Line Interactive Virtual Environment (OLIVE) technology provides private, service-oriented virtual worlds for global collaboration, training, simulation and planning.
Lockheed Martin has created Virtual World Labs to shape the future of training with the creation of collaborative simulation learning and data visualization solutions for government, military and corporate sectors. The company utilizes tools that enable it to modify the virtual world capabilities to the customer's needs and to maximize human potential. The company's UltiSim platform can be used to develop rules-based learning scenarios, as well as true non-linear simulations using high-fidelity dynamic/physics based models.
November 21, 2008
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