News

Since its establishment on December 12, 2007, the Central Florida Partnership and its four "Lines of Business" – Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce (Regional Entrepreneurship), myregion.org (Regional Research & Resolves), BusinessForce (Regional Public Policy Advocacy), and Leadership Orlando (Regional Leadership) - have advanced key strategies on behalf of the Central Florida Region.

The Central Florida Partnership is an essential place for leaders to convene, set priorities, address our region’s toughest challenges and identify our greatest opportunities. Serving business, civic and community leaders in Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole and Volusia Counties – the Central Florida Partnership is a business-led initiative where regional leaders come together to share regional conversations. In some cases, we needed to push the accelerator. In others, we extended a hand of support.

Together, we have the capacity and the responsibility to bring "Ideas to Results."

Regional Transportation

Tallahassee "Fly In" participants delivered a message of unanimous consent in support of Commuter Rail to legislators March 11-12 and provided visible support at a press conference led by Representative Dean Cannon and Senate Majority Leader, Senator Daniel Webster.

Transportation Corridors "Task Force" Chair John H. Bultema, III, and others returned to the State Capitol to meet one-on-one with legislators advancing support of Commuter Rail as an imperative for Central Florida.

At a press conference on May 5, 2008, local, state and national leaders vow that Commuter Rail is not dead. Work will continue for resolution/approval.

Transportation Corridors "Task Force" briefed by Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission, Orlando/Orange County Expressway Authority, and LYNX.

U.S. Congressman John Mica and FDOT District Secretary Noranne Downs invite Central Florida Partnership to lead Core Strategy Team for Commuter Rail to develop "next steps" in securing liability agreements and passage of Central Florida Commuter Rail legislation.

"Task Force" Chair John H. Bultema, III, Fifth Third Bank, presented regional transportation priorities to the Governors Council, Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, securing its unanimous support.

Central Florida Partnership and Tampa Bay Partnership met with Polk County Leaders to explore coast-to-coast support of Commuter Rail.

Central Florida Partnership assembled "Great Thinkers" industry leaders to provide ongoing advice and expertise regarding commuter rail.

Regional Rally for Rail convened regional leaders with Congressman John Mica to send message that Central Florida Commuter Rail is alive and well.

METROPLAN ORLANDO briefed Transportation Corridors "Task Force" on the important elements of the Transportation Funding equation as well as the purpose and work product of the regional transportation-planning agency.

As part of its Long Term Objective – "to Create a Stable and Adequate Funding and Organization Base for a Multi-modal Transportation Corridor System," the Central Florida Transportation Corridors "Task Force" recommended that Orange County, and other Counties serviced by LYNX, enact the Local Option Gas Tax, by exercising a "Super Majority Vote" of the County Commission, making available new funds for LYNX.

Central Florida Leaders express support of the Governor’s Accelerate Florida program to complete public construction projects that have already received funding approval totaling nearly $30 billion. The Central Florida Partnership advanced Central Florida Commuter Rail for inclusion on the project list.

Central Florida Partnership publishes OpEd in Orlando Sentinel supporting Central Florida Commuter Rail as part of Governor Crist’s Accelerate Florida.

U.S. Congressman John Mica announces at press conference in Orlando that Central Florida Commuter Rail has received federal approval to enter Final Design phase. Final Design means that Commuter Rail will get its own dedicated funding request in the next president’s budget.

An important component of a multi-modal transportation network, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority provides airport update to members of the Central Florida Transportation Corridors "Task Force."

Central Florida Partnership President Jacob Stuart provided regional perspective on transportation and space-related business opportunities in Central Florida Region at Brevard 2008 Space Forum.

Transportation Corridors "Task Force" briefed on Core Strategy Team’s Rapid Response Work Group, Regional Outreach Work Group, and Key Constituencies Work