News

In last Tuesday's Orlando Sentinel, there was a story about our several long standing partnerships with Workforce Central Florida. Since this matter may generate questions in the days ahead, I want to share a summary of my communications over the last thirty days with Kevin R. Neal, Interim Executive Director of Workforce Central Florida, Jim Stratton, the author of the Orlando Sentinel articles, and the Volunteer Leaders and Key Staff of the Central Florida Partnership and its Lines of Business: Orlando, Inc., myregion.org, Leadership Orlando and BusinessForce.

We are very proud of our many positive partnerships with Workforce Central Florida. For over a decade, beginning with the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce and continuing with the Central Florida Partnership and three (3) of our "Lines of Business" (Leadership Orlando, myregion.org and Orlando, Inc.), we have enthusiastically supported the work of Workforce Central Florida; and, too, they have actively supported our efforts.  Along these lines, we have been Community Partners with Workforce Central Florida, advancing their important work; using our programs, events, activities and tools of communication to inform business, civic and government leaders about their significant leadership role in Central Florida.

To name just a few, Workforce Central Florida has been a financial supporter of Workforce 2020, the Hispanic Summit, the Small Business Summit, and most recently, "Open for Business" and The B.I.G. Summit.  In addition, Workforce Central Florida has been an important addition to our website and to our weekly electronic newsletter (EveryMonday) for many years; with the purpose being to introduce community leaders to the products, services and training opportunities available at Workforce Central Florida, helping us connect resources and ideas with success.  Through the years, our support of Workforce Central Florida has been open for everyone to see and has been enthusiastically encouraged by me, our Management Team and by our Volunteer Leaders.

Helping to put "folks" back to work by showcasing the products, services and training opportunities of Workforce Central Florida is especially true when it comes to "Open for Business." As a matter of record, "Open for Business" was organized by the Central Florida Partnership, Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc., Home Builders Association of Metro Orlando, Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, Orlando Regional REALTOR Association, and by Workforce Central Florida.  As a point of reference, "Open for Business," is a project of The Florida Eight, a program of Workforce Florida, Inc.

At the "Open for Business" Regional Business Summit on December 9, 2011, we welcomed four very special guests: Dale A. Brill, Ph.D., President, Florida Chamber Foundation; Chris Hart, IV, President, Workforce Florida, Inc.; Tom Beck, Director, Division of Community Development, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, and Melissa Medley, Senior Vice President, Enterprise Florida, Inc. Over 250 business and community leaders were in attendance to learn, first-hand' about the important work being advanced by three "Open for Business" Regional Work Groups: Creating Access to Capital, Reviewing Transactional Fees, and Streamlining Permitting & Licensing.

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.

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."

For sure, Workforce Central Florida has played a significant role in changing the perceptions regarding the needs of workers and, too, in changing the perceptions regarding the needs of businesses.  As a result, Workforce Central Florida has left a lasting legacy of service to others, connecting the assets of our community with those in need.

We are hopeful that in 2012, we will resume our many partnerships with Workforce Central Florida; partnerships designed to provide information and assistance to businesses and families who live, work, learn and play in the Central Florida Region.

Jacob V. Stuart, President
Central Florida Partnership

Central Florida Partnership - Ideas to Results
The Central Florida Partnership is a collaborative of business and civic leaders committed to procuring a better tomorrow for Central Florida's seven counties - Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole and Volusia. We are thoughtful leaders united by a single, guiding principle - that we have both the power and the responsibility to make change happen.

Working together, through four lines of business – Orlando, Inc. (Regional Entrepreneurship), BusinessForce (Regional Public Policy Advocacy), myregion.org (Regional Research & Resolves) and Leadership Orlando (Regional Leadership) – the Central Florida Partnership is moving "Ideas to Results."

About the Central Florida Partnership
Click here to learn more about the Central Florida Partnership.
Click here for the Central Florida Partnership Board of Directors.