Decades of innovative technology put Central Florida at the head of the modeling, simulation and training industry.

There’s no doubt about it: One of the most important jewels in our region’s economic crown is the modeling, simulation and training (MS&T) “cluster” concentrated in the Central Florida Research Park and anchored by military partners.

The region currently enjoys the enviable position of being the nation’s epicenter for MS&T, with an estimated 150 companies, nearly 32,000 direct and indirect jobs, average salaries over $70,000, and a Gross Regional Product of nearly $3 billion. Once a best-kept economic secret, this unique alliance of military commands, academia and industry is now a critical part of the community’s strategy for economic diversification.

It all begins with the military command partners of “Team Orlando” — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard — and their leading academic research collaborator, the UCF Institute for Simulation and Training.

Managing more than $5 billion in contracts designed to support today’s warfighter, the collective success of these commands is predicated upon the high level of cooperation, collaboration and partnerships that exist within Central Florida. The shared expertise and facilities that are a part of “Team Orlando” include the University of Central Florida; Simulation and Training Technology Center; Partnership I, II and soon-to-be Partnership III buildings; Institute for Simulation and Training; National Center for Simulation; and Florida High Tech Corridor. It should be noted that, alone, the Simulation and Training Technology Center and Partnership I, II and III buildings represent more than a $55 million investment by the State of Florida in shared state (university) and federal (Department of Defense) lab and office space.

In the private sector, names like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, SAIC, Indra Systems, Silicon Graphics, General Dynamics, Rockwell Collins, JHT and many more further enhance the local MS&T industry, as does the additional prominence in entertainment technology that brings compelling “storytelling” to simulation applications, not to mention significant expansion in areas such as medical, education, transportation, homeland security and digital media. All create high-paying jobs in Florida.

The challenge for Central Florida is that our success has garnered the attention and envy of other communities. In order to preserve and expand this economic cluster, the region's “family of communities” must galvanize political and civic leadership in support of “Team Orlando.”

Working with UCF, Central Florida Research Park, Florida High Tech Corridor Council, Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, National Center for Simulation, UCF Institute for Training and Simulation, Naval Air Systems Command, Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Team Orlando, Orlando Inc. and others, the Central Florida Partnership has adopted MS&T as one of 13 “regional priorities” making up its Shared Regional Agenda.

In support of MS&T, the Central Florida Partnership themed the 2010 Baker Hostetler Central Florida Partnership “Trip to Washington, D.C.,” held June 23-24, around the importance of this industry sector. Joining the official delegation in the nation’s capital were 60 business and community leaders, representing Central Florida from the Gulf to the Atlantic, all focused on bringing the region’s message of continued industry support to elected officials.

Similarly, UCF recently hosted a “community breakfast” designed to showcase the economic impact of the region's MS&T. Both events featured presentations by  Lt. Gen. Thomas L. Baptiste, U.S. Air Force (Retired), president of the National Center for Simulation, who has personally experienced the transition of military training in a cockpit mockup with “pictures” of the instrument panel to state-of-the-art F-16 simulators with 180-degree wraparound visual displays during his 34-year military career. Simulation today includes the sights, sounds — and even the smells — encountered on the battlefield and in disaster zones around the world.

“Today, it is possible to network different simulators that are geographically separated and operate them in a common virtual battle space,” says Baptiste. “Simulators save lives, time, wear and tear, and money, with proven utility in training, planning, analysis, engineering and test and evaluation.”

MS&T isn't just about battleships and Humvees. It’s about communications, as well. Consider a request from soldiers for a lightweight, handheld device that could be used to communicate with Iraqi civilians. Innovative technology resulted in iPod software that allows soldiers to select phrases or instructions from a menu of options. The iPod speaker then plays the phrase in Arabic, a remarkable solution that was accomplished in less than 90 days.

“This is a $5 billion-a-year industry that is critical to Florida’s economic diversification,” Baptiste adds. “It’s an asset which must be vigorously defended and aggressively strengthened.”

Amendment 4 opens the floodgates for special-interest lawsuits.

This November, voters will be faced with a number of tough decisions at the ballot box. Fortunately, one of the most important decisions should also be the easiest. Amendment 4, a “Vote on Everything” proposal, would kill jobs, raise taxes, and lead to endless litigation at taxpayer expense.

Amendment 4 has been referred to as a “stimulus package for special interest lawyers.” And for good reason; this proposal would add costly new layers of bureaucratic red tape to an already complicated planning process. It would be virtually impossible to condense thousands of pages of technical planning data into the 75-word ballot summaries that are required by law. Inevitably, disagreements — and lawsuits — would ensue. Amendment 4 encourages the special interests that lose at the ballot box to take their case to court, at taxpayer expense.

That is exactly what happened to the small town of St. Petersburg Beach, which implemented a local version of Amendment 4 in 2006. The measure has decimated the town's economy and created chaos at the polls. To date, the citizens of St. Pete Beach have seen nearly a dozen lawsuits that have cost local taxpayers more than $750,000 in legal fees. When St. Pete Beach voters approved four pro-economy changes to their comprehensive plan in 2008, Amendment 4 lawyers sued to overturn the results of the election. Nearly two years later, the people of St. Pete Beach are still defending their vote in court.

Ward Friszolowski, the former Mayor of St. Pete Beach, wrote: “Our experiment in Amendment 4 has turned St. Pete Beach into a battleground for special interests.” The same “copy and paste” lawsuits that plague St. Pete Beach would soon spread to every Florida town.

Moreover, under Amendment 4, residents most impacted by local planning decisions will lose influence in a process that inherently favors deep-pocketed special interests. This measure would turn the growth-management debate into a political spectacle. Neighborhoods would lose representation in the public planning process, as communities across town make decisions about schools, hospitals, jails and landfills in your backyard.

Worse still, Amendment 4 will introduce new delays into the planning process. This measure is so extreme that it does not even contain exceptions for vital community projects like hospitals, schools, police stations or fire trucks. Consequently, even important and uncontroversial community projects will likely experience paralyzing delays.
As Florida attempts to recover from this devastating recession, the last thing we need is Amendment 4, a proposal that would empower special-interest lawyers to raid taxpayer’s pockets in order to finance special-interest lawsuits.

This November, VOTE NO on Amendment 4! For more, visit www.florida2010.org.

This month's Super Regional Leadership Conference promises to help identify areas where regional collaboration can generate additional economic output and improve competitiveness.

Intuitively, it's always been known that working regionally was a good idea.

The principle is documented — regional economies are, in fact, the drivers of national prosperity. The top 100 largest U.S. metro regions generate 75 percent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product. The U.S. economy’s performance is driven largely by that of its major metropolitan economies.

With those facts in mind, the Super Regional Leadership Conference, set for May 26-27 at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando, will be held for the second year in a row.

Cosponsored by the Tampa Bay Partnership and Central Florida Partnership, the conference brings together business and civic leaders to promote regional thinking and solutions to meet today’s economic challenges, including:

“Connecting for Global Competitiveness: Tampa Bay-Central Florida Super Region,” an initiative to identify the regional, state, national and global opportunities that could emerge from a coast-to-coast connection. World-renowned urban planner professor Jonathan Barnett and members of his Urban Design Studio will present an in-depth study of the value of operating as a super region. Discussions will center on leveraging economic development opportunities around high-speed rail, job creation and global competitiveness.

Moving Forward with High Speed Rail for Florida, encouraging support and its connection with other rail initiatives being advanced by the Florida Department of Transportation, Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority, SunRail and the U.S. Department of Transportation, including the approved route connecting Tampa Bay to Orlando.

Invited keynote speaker, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, addressing the link between transportation and sustainable communities and its importance in shaping Florida’s future.

The $1.25 billion awarded to the high-speed rail project is a down payment. When combined with local regional visioning efforts and the work of the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority, it's hoped that award leaves the project well positioned for additional federal funding.

“Global Space Activity: Florida’s Opportunity” will be another hot session topic. No other region of the world has the aerospace infrastructure and talent, as well as the related targeted industries and position on the planet’s surface, to deliver what Florida can. In this session, attendees share the challenges the industry faces in ensuring Florida remains at the forefront of the nation’s space program.

Can you say “Pecha Kucha?” Pecha Kucha is the Japanese word for the sound of people talking. In this format, presenters are each allowed 20 slides, automatically. These brief presentations will be sprinkled throughout the day to showcase a cross section of leadership and projects/initiatives from across the Central Florida corridor.

How does working together as a super region benefit Tampa Bay and Central Florida? Do we have an opportunity to bring additional tourists or talent to the region? What assets and opportunities do we need to build upon?

The Super Regional Leadership Conference represents a rich mix of high-ranking community, civic and active volunteer leaders from both the east coast and west coast of Florida. Participants will help regional leaders identify regional collaboration that can generate additional economic output and improve competitiveness.

Editor's note: To register online, go to www.thesuperregion.com.

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Super Region

Population: Tampa Bay, 3.75 million; Central Florida, 3.46 million (combined population of 7.2 million — seventh most populous in country)

Gross Domestic Product (2008): Tampa Bay, $142.4 billion (19th in U.S.); Central Florida: $142.0 billion (20th in U.S.) (combined 2008 GDP of $284.4 billion — 10th largest economy in U.S.)

Sources: 2009 Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Statistics; 2008 Bureau of Economic and Business Research, University of Florida

It’s that time of year: BusinessForce begins rolling out key regional endorsements in 2010 elections.

Against the backdrop of a challenging regional business environment, and amidst one of the worst ever national recessions, BusinessForce President Mike Ketchum stated: “There’s never been a better time for our business community to protect its interest by becoming fully engaged in the political process.” Read more

Tampa Bay and Central Florida could emerge as a single economic region — and Florida’s dominant economic driver.

In the past, the area stretching from Tampa Bay through Orlando and Central Florida has been called such interesting names as Orlampa or Tamplando. Yet, regardless of the moniker, the potential for economic firepower across the entire area is just beginning to be addressed. Read more

The Central Florida Partnership is proud to present its 2010 Volunteer Leadership Team.

The Central Florida Partnership — America’s Newest Regional Partnership — is an essential place for leaders to convene, set priorities, address our region’s toughest challenges and identify our greatest opportunities. It provides a platform where positive ideas are advanced on behalf of our region — ideas that matter most to the millions of people who live, work, learn and play in Central Florida. The Central Florida Partnership is moving “Ideas to Results.” Read more

What would I like to read about this year? Let’s start, of course, with world peace … plus SunRail and more.

Other than the obvious like world peace, security and good health, I’ve been blue-skying about what might be possible in the new year. Here are some sample headlines, along with my commentary, on goals that we should set for ourselves at the global, national, state, regional and local levels, if not in the next few years than certainly in our lifetime.

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SunRail and High Speed Rail Under Construction in Sunshine State

The third time was the charm during the Florida Legislature’s “special session” last month. The history-making passage of Statewide Rail Transit legislation means jobs, jobs and more jobs for hard-working families all across our state. Before we know it, travel delays that will come with these massive construction projects will be only a memory as our region and state join the ranks of great regions around the globe in providing modern, dependable and efficient transportation for residents and visitors. Just think of London, Paris, New York, Washington … and Orlando!

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Voters Elect Orange County School Board Chairman

It’s time for a change, and voters turning out in record numbers to elect the first countywide direct-elected chairman of Orange County Public Schools will signal that change. The position was established by an overwhelming margin in 2008 and has sustained ongoing opposition by members of the school board and special-interest groups. At press time, at least two people had declared candidacy, and others are likely to follow.

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Central Florida Ranked No. 1 Entrepreneurial System in Nation

With its new focus on entrepreneurship, Orlando Inc. (Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce) is creating a significant amount of buzz in the business community. Its recent offering, The B.I.G. Summit (Business Innovation & Growth), focused on creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem to provide resources and make connections, enabling entrepreneurs to grow and succeed. From the “rock star” setting of the Summit to an outstanding lineup of programs and activities during 2010, Central Florida is on its way to national recognition.

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Groundbreaking Regional Water Policies Enacted

Water is our most precious resource, and working to ensure that this vital commodity will be available to future generations in Central Florida is crucial. Regional thinking and long-term policies are necessary to ensure that limited resources and growing demand align in new and innovative ways.  All things considered — three water management districts, seven counties, 86 cities — this is not an easy task. Cooperation and collaboration must guide these discussions.

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Pro-Business Candidates Elected in Record-breaking Numbers

Building a cadre of informed and effective business leaders who are considering public service at local, regional, state and national levels makes our region stronger. Political candidates need not only the knowledge base of the critical issues facing our families of communities, but the courage to make the right decisions for all and withstand the criticism of the few. They also need our support. While we hold our elected officials to a higher standard, we must also stand behind them and lift them up lest they fall or fail. For the most part, their intentions are pure, their rewards are few, and the future of our region and our state is at stake.

Editor’s note: Jacob V. Stuart is president and CEO of the Central Florida Partnership.

Expect the new, different and, well, unexpected at the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce’s B.I.G. Summit.

This is big … really BIG!

The B.I.G. Summit (Business Innovation & Growth) is breaking all the rules. What comes to mind when you think of today’s creative workforce?  Blue jeans, T-shirts, flip-flops and tattoos? Facebook, Twitter, texting and YouTube? Read more

Events throughout October, in town and on the road, kick off a fall schedule filled with regional initiatives.

The Central Florida Partnership continues to lead the region on issues and opportunities that are important to future success, staying true to its tagline, “Ideas to Results.” This fall, “Regional Transportation,” “Statewide Transformation” and “Community Thanks” are on the agenda. Read more

Much progress is being made as the region implements the Central Florida Regional Growth Vision.

It has been a busy two years since 20,000 residents shared their thoughts on what matters most to Central Floridians by answering the question “How Shall We Grow?”

The unveiling of the Central Florida Regional Growth Vision in August 2007 was just the beginning of the story. Since that time, leaders from cities, counties, regional organizations and private businesses from across the seven-county region (Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole and Volusia) have been working to turn the vision into reality.

Read more