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June 2014


Greetings!

In June, Orange County citizens, community leaders and elected officials joined me for my 2014 State of the County address at the Ballroom at Church Street.  As I was so proud to announce, the state of Orange County is strong and prosperous! Through partnership and innovation, we continue to transform to a  competitive global economy. Our theme, The Year of Transformation, took citizens on a historical journey that highlighted the outstanding achievements of our region and the many milestones our community has accomplished together.

Since 2010, we have experienced a steady and dramatic decline in Orange County's unemployment rate from 11.3 percent to 5.3 percent - representing 77,042 new jobs created. From the beginning of the recession to fiscal year 2012, annual countywide property tax revenue declined nearly 25 percent. For a second year in a row, countywide property tax revenue has increased,  and housing starts are also on the rise, with more than 2,000 new homes being built in the last year. For the third year in a row, we've also exceeded the national record for tourism, hosting 59 million visitors in 2013, and generating $187 million in tourist development tax.

Orange County's transformation continues with our region serving as a magnet for life science and high tech companies from around the world driving global innovation from our strong gaming, digital media and robust modeling, simulation and training sectors.

In addition to celebrating the kickoff of SunRail, which is already changing the way we live, learn, work and play,  thanks to our region's well-coordinated efforts, SunRail has been  included in President Obama's 2015 budget. This is vitally important as we strive to meet our 2016 goal of connecting to Osceola County, and as  Orange County prepares for the new multi-modal hub at Orlando International Airport, the first in the nation to connect air, rail, commuter rail and people movers.

Through transformational community venue projects, we're creating a richer future for our children and generations to come, as well as visitors from around the world. By Thanksgiving, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts will be open, ushering in a new era of creativity and culture.

The Citrus Bowl also celebrated with a beam raising ceremony in early June, bringing us ever closer to traditional Bowl games later this year. And to kick off 2015, we're well on our way to planning for a new MLS Soccer stadium, as well as 19 new, multi-use athletic fields - perfect for soccer throughout the county!

And, we also celebrated the State of the County with Opal Shields, who is counting down to her 100 birthday. Opal traveled by SunRail to the event with Commissioner Jennifer Thompson from our historic Pine Castle Station! 

On behalf of Orange County Government, I wish to extend my heartfelt appreciation to those who assisted in making this annual "report to our citizens" event a remarkable success. The generous contributions of our sponsors and the participation of our Social Media Ambassadors - including the use of groundbreaking technology via  Google Glass - helped to bring our theme of transformation to life!

Speaking of technology, I invite you to download the much-heralded OCFL Alert, the first-of-its-kind emergency notification app for mobile devices, which was recently showcased by President Barack Obama and FEMA Director Craig Fugate. The OCFL Alert app features a cutting-edge emergency notification and mapping system, combined with an easy-to-use, intuitive design.  We're so proud of our ISS team for developing this mobile technology!  My State of the County address also featured OCFL 311, a great mobile app that assists Orange County citizens in reporting non-emergency community issues efficiently and conveniently from their Android and Apple devices.

I was also so proud to unveil our newest app, OCFL News,  which allows citizens to stay connected with Orange County's new online Newsroom via mobile devices (Android  | Apple). I encourage you to download this wonderful  new app, and stay up to date with Orange County.   

As always, I thank you for your continued support and for staying connected with your local government.  I look forward to the work ahead, as we strive to create the best community in which to live, work and raise a family.

Sincerely,
Teresa Jacobs
Orange County Mayor

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Hurricane Preparedness Briefing with President Obama
President Barack Obama, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and Chief Information Officer Rafael Mena participate in a hurricane preparedness briefing at the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Washington, D.C., May 30, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and Chief Information Officer Rafael Mena were honored to attend a meeting at FEMA Headquarters in Washington D.C. on Friday, May 30, to demonstrate innovations in emergency response. The briefing focused on the federal government's efforts to prepare for and respond to severe storms and included President Barack Obama, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Lisa Monaco and 19 other representatives from federal, state and local agencies.

As one of only three organizations selected, and the only local government in the nation invited to give a presentation, Mayor Jacobs and CIO Mena joined officials from the Commonwealth of Virginia and the U.S. Department of Energy in discussing the technology innovations that will better inform and involve the public in preparedness and response activities.

"I was incredibly honored and so proud to share with the President and his response team all of what we are doing here in Orange County to help our citizens and residents prepare for and stay safe during and after extreme weather events," Mayor Jacobs said.

For Orange County's presentation, Mena gave overviews of the OCFL Alert and OCFL 311 mobile apps that assist residents before, during and after emergency situations.

"The whole purpose of our presentation was to show the President the innovative technology we've implemented to support our residents and visitors before, during and after an emergency. What makes our apps unique is the true integration with our emergency response systems. It gives users real-time information," Mena said. "The President was very engaged during our presentation. We were so proud to showcase this cutting-edge emergency operation technology."

OCFL ALERT is a first-of-its-kind emergency notification and information smartphone app that provides critical information during times of emergency (Android | Apple). Such life-saving information includes open shelter locations, water and ice distribution centers, evacuation routes, and much more.

The OCFL 311 smartphone app allows users to photograph, pinpoint and report problems from potholes to hazardous sidewalk cracks directly from their smartphone to Orange County's 311 Service Center (Android | Apple). Both apps are free and available for download to both Apple and Android devices.

Information on the new OCFL News app, Orange County's latest smartphone app, which was unveiled during Mayor Jacobs' remarks at the State of the County address on June 6, was also shared (Android | Apple). OCFL News provides citizens with breaking news and information about their government.

The President thanked Orange County, Florida for "its initiative in developing tools to help prepare and engage communities."

For details on this story, visit Orange County's online Newsroom.

Orange County War Memorial Commemoration

During the annual Orange County War Memorial Commemoration Ceremony, Mayor Teresa Jacobs and the Veterans Advisory Council remembered and saluted the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in our Armed Forces.

The ceremony featured an invocation, presentation of colors, national anthem and pledge of allegiance, commentary from guest speaker Vice Admiral Alfred G Harms, U.S. Navy (Ret.), remarks and a resolution by Mayor Jacobs.

"On this Memorial Day, as armed conflicts continue in many places throughout the world, we memorialize the courage, valor and honor of America's heroes. To all those lost in the pursuit of freedom, we are deeply grateful for your sacrifice," said Mayor Jacobs, who called for a moment of silence to honor the fallen. "The bravery and sacrifice of our Orange County men and women are memorialized on our War Memorial so that their lives will be remembered and cherished for eternity."

In years past, the names of armed services members fallen in battle from Orange County have been unveiled during this event.  We remain deeply grateful that this year, no new names were added to the Memorial, as no service members from Orange County lost their lives in active duty last year.

To honor all those lost in defense of our freedoms, Mayor Jacobs was joined by Colonel Edwin R. Marrero, U.S. Army (Ret.) in the laying of a commemorative wreath at the end of the ceremony.

For details on this story, visit Orange County's online Newsroom.

Timber Creek High School Students Shadow Mayor

Mayor Teresa Jacobs is joined by students from Timber
Creek High School, winners of the 2014 Mayor for a Day Challenge.

 

 

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs recently spent the day with bright and talented student leaders from Timber Creek High School, who won her 2014 Mayor for a Day Challenge. The students had the opportunity to shadow Mayor Jacobs and observe how various parts of Orange County Government operate.

"The students who walk the halls of our high schools today will become community leaders of tomorrow," Mayor Jacobs said. "I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to the administrators and students at Timber Creek High School for participating in this initiative and for being wonderful Mayors for the Day."

Now in its third year, the annual Youth Leadership Conference allows students to learn about how our county government functions, how best to participate in community initiatives, and how to strengthen individual and collaborative leadership skills. The Conference presents topics such as land use, zoning, code enforcement, and neighborhood and community service, and also engages the teens in lively "mock" public hearings. The students taking part in the Conference were selected by their high school principals and student government advisers.

For details on this story, visit Orange County's online Newsroom.

Florida Citrus Bowl Beam Raising Ceremony
Mayor Jacobs, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, District 1 Commissioner Scott Boyd and representatives from Florida Citrus Sports commemorate the renovations of the Citrus Bowl.

The Forward Progress to the 50 Beam Raising Ceremony at the Florida  Citrus Bowl celebrated reaching the midway point of the stadium's reconstruction.

Mayor Jacobs, along with Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orange County Commissioner Scott Boyd, representatives from Florida Citrus Sports, local tourism leaders, as well as site construction workers and staff signed the concrete beam, which was then raised and placed in the new lower bowl section at the 50-yard line of the stadium.

"These major renovations at the Citrus Bowl will allow Orlando to remain competitive in attracting bowl games and other events," Mayor Jacobs said.

In January, Mayor Jacobs joined community leaders, business partners, and elected officials in the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium reconstruction ceremony. The reconstruction of the Orlando Citrus Bowl began in November 2013 and will be game-ready by November 2014, and fully complete by April 2015. The renovated stadium will accommodate more than 65,000 guests and will feature a newly constructed lower bowl, a vibrant open-air fa�ade, multiple LED digital video boards, expanded elevator and escalator service throughout and a 10,000-square-foot party deck.

For details on this story, visit Orange County's online Newsroom.

Summit on Puerto Rican Affairs
Mayor Jacobs is joined by the president of the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of South Florida Luis De Rosa, Executive Director of Puerto Rico Trade and Export Company Francisco Ch�vere, City of Kissimmee Commissioner Wanda Rentas, District 48 State Representative Victor Manuel Torres, Jr., and City of Kissimmee Former Commissioner Art Otero.

The Summit on Puerto Rican Affairs celebrated its fifth year of bringing leaders, entrepreneurs and corporate executives together to discuss economic opportunities and recognize the region's Puerto Rican community. The Dynamic Community Development Corporation (CDC) organized the event and emphasized its theme of "Building Tomorrow's Leaders Today."

The two-day event promoted economic, social, and political empowerment while highlighting the strong cultural and commercial ties between Central Florida and Puerto Rico. With the goal of advancing trade and tourism between both markets, the Summit agenda included networking opportunities and interactive workshops with business executives and government representatives.

"Mayor Jacobs has attended the summit every year and supports increased business and commerce between the markets of Puerto Rico and Florida," said Summit organizer Luis De Rosa. "The Summit contributes to business growth and job creation in the region."

In May, Mayor Jacobs also participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony to officially welcome the new Tit�n Products of Puerto Rico distribution center in Orange County. The 40,000-square-foot facility, located at 1111 Central Florida Parkway, is now serving supermarkets, restaurants and stores throughout Florida with more than 200 products, including frozen foods, grains, and non-perishable goods. Tit�n Products of Puerto Rico is a subsidiary of Empresas Barsan, a Puerto Rico-based and family-owned company founded 31 years ago by Vicente Sanchez.

For details on these events, visit Orange County's online Newsroom.

News Worth Noting ...

- The Orange County Board of County Commissioners and Mayor Jacobs recognized Winter Garden resident Sisaundra Lewis, finalist on NBC's The Voice, at the BCC meeting by proclaiming June 3 as Sisaundra Lewis Day in Orange County! Sisaundra, who was surrounded by her family, was praised for positively representing Orange County on the national stage.

- Mayor Jacobs spoke at the Arab American Community Center's 4th Annual Arab Festival at Lake Eola in May. The diversity of our Orange County community contributes every day to our success! Through our many advocacy and community groups, and in partnership with Mayor Jacobs' Office of Public Engagement and Citizen Advocacy, Orange County is focused on building and maintaining strong relationships! 

- The Charity Challenge XXIX featured Mayor Jacobs as the keynote speaker at the Citrus Bowl in May. The Charity Challenge brings the Central Florida community together and provides an opportunity for our youth generation to give back to our local charities. Under the direction of former Florida State Senator Lee Constantine - a tireless champion for Central Florida and the founder of Charity Challenge - the organization raised about $220,000 for more than 100 charities last year!

- Mayor Jacobs took part in the coin toss for the West Orange High School vs. Timber Creek High School Spring Football Game with Commissioner Scott Boyd in May. Congratulations to our student athletes!

- The Mental Health Association of Central Florida's 2014 "Legacy of Champions Award" was presented to Mayor Jacobs during the organization's May luncheon. In partnership with the Youth Mental Health Commission, co-chaired by Chief Judge Belvin and Florida Hospital's Rich Morrison, Mayor Jacobs continues to lead the charge in keeping the issue of mental health to the forefront of our community.

- In May, Mayor Jacobs joined Governor Rick Scott and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer in announcing the selection of Lake Nona as the location for the United States Tennis Association's (USTA) new state-of-the-art training facility. This new sports headquarters facility will create jobs and attract investment while enhancing Central Florida's world profile.

- Apopka High School senior Taylor Chou was recognized by Mayor Jacobs with the Charles T. Smith Community Service Award at the Apopka High School Seniors Awards Night in May. The award holds a special place in Mayor Jacobs' heart, as it honors her cherished friend and Orange County Ombudsman Charles "Chase" Smith, who passed away last year. The award was created in his memory to recognize an outstanding high school junior or senior who has shown dedication toward making a positive impact in our community through service and volunteerism.

- Mayor Jacobs spent some time with members of Blankner K-8 School's Student Government Association in June. The students stayed for part of the Board of County Commissioners meeting and were commended for their interest in civics and their local government.




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Mayor Teresa Jacobs
201 S. Rosalind Ave.
Orlando, FL 32801
[email protected] 

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