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Over 250 attendees at the Regional Business Summit on Friday agreed, Central Florida is "Open for Business," as did key leaders representing Florida Governor Scott’s Jobs Council: Dale A. Brill, Ph.D., Florida Chamber Foundation; Tom Beck, Department of Economic Opportunity; Chris Hart, IV, Workforce Florida, Inc.; and Melissa Medley, Enterprise Florida, Inc.

The "Open for Business" Regional Business Summit was presented by Project Manager, myregion.org, on behalf of the "Open for Business" Organizing Committee: Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., Central Florida Partnership; Home Builders Association of Metro Orlando; Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission; Orlando Regional Realtor Association; and Workforce Central Florida.

Above left: Brian M. Butler, JCB Construction; The Honorable Frank T. Bruno, Jr., Volusia County Council; The Honorable Howard Shieferdecker, City of Maitland; Bud Beucher, Mission Inn Resort; Mary Hurley, NAIOP; and Wesley T. Bal, Fidelity Funding Mortgage

After welcoming remarks by Terry W. Prather, President of SeaWorld Orlando, Shelley Lauten, President of myregion.org, and Donald N. Upton, President of Fairfield Index, Inc., facilitated the presentations of three Regional Work Groups that have been examining barriers to business success and a vibrant economy.

Summarizing the Work Group focused on Creating Access to Capital, Co-Chairs Wesley T. Bal, Fidelity Funding Mortgage, and Mary Hurley, NAIOP of Central Florida, then presented the following Recommendations:

1. Establish a Regional Resolution Trust Corporation

2. Adjust HUD Current Regulatory Criteria

3. Enhance & Revise Banking Regulation Policies and Examination Treatment Regarding Underwater Mortgages, Bank Owned Real Estate, and Short Sales

4. Enhance & Revise Florida’s Mandatory Mediation Program and Consider Passing Legislation to change Florida’s Judicial Foreclosure System

5. Continue Dialogue that the "Open for Business" Coalition has begun and Receive Public and Private Support in order that its Recommendations and Input are Taken to the Next Level of Action.

The Honorable Frank T. Bruno, Jr., Volusia County Council, and Bud Beucher, Mission Inn Resort, served as Co-chairs for the Regional Work Group tasked with Reviewing Transactional Fees. After highlighting their work process which ultimately focused on regional transportation, three recommendations were presented:

1. Continue to Build on Regional Legacy and the Spirit of the Central Florida Regional Growth Vision Regional Compact by confirming Consensus on Regional Priorities.

2. Establish a Pilot "Central Florida Commission on Regional Transportation Funding"

3. Ensure a Funding approach for Transportation that will Not Increase the overall Government Funding Levels, Draws from Alternative Sources, and Supports the Entire Economic Region.

The Regional Work Group charged with Streamlining Permitting and Licensingwas led by Co-Chairs Brian M. Butler, JCB Construction, and The Honorable Howard Schieferdecker, City of Maitland. Their collective work resulted in five key recommendations:

1. Establish a Region-wide, Diversified Team of Leaders

2. Explore and Apply Reasons why Progress is Made in Other Places

3. Link Diversified Team to National Pilots and Practices including Philadelphia, Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts, and Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Provide a Platform for Governments to Learn and Share

4. Design an Operational Plan

5. Keep Progress and Breakthroughs in front of the Central Florida Congress of Regional Leaders and Florida Jobs Council.

In responding to the presentations by the "Open for Business" Regional Work Groups, our distinguished guests at the state level, committed their respective agencies to help "build capacity" for the region’s work across Florida by providing assistance in monitoring, measurements, and moving the work to market. Dr. Brill specifically mentioned his encouragement that "Open for Business" aligns with the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Six Pillars Program.

Above left: Donald N. Upton, Fairfield Index, Inc.; Dale A. Brill, Ph.D., Florida Chamber Foundation; Melissa Medley, Enterprise Florida, Inc.; Tom Beck, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity; and Chris Hart, IV, Workforce Florida, Inc.
Click here to view more photos from this event.

Mr. Hart said that his agency, Workforce Florida, has the firepower to help move these recommendations forward. "This is exactly what was envisioned for The Florida Eight initiative – to build regional capacity for what is already underway."

"Working together in this way provides competitive advantage for this region and our state," said Ms. Medley. "These recommendations will not only attract new businesses, but will also assist existing and expanding businesses, benefitting the entire region."

Click here to view the "Open for Business" Regional Business Summit Agenda.

Click here to view the "Open for Business" Regional Business Summit Report.

myregion.org is one of four lines of business by which the Central Florida Partnership focuses on "Regional Research and Resolves." By identifying and examining the changing demographics and powerful trends that are shaping the Central Florida Region – myregion.org is helping to identify the issues and challenges that affect our future.

Working together with Orlando, Inc., (Regional Entrepreneurship), BusinessForce (Public Policy Advocacy), and Leadership Orlando (Regional Leadership), the Central Florida Partnership is moving "Ideas to Results."

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