Orlando Outlook (Miami, Davie, Haines City: hotels, school, live)

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by beckycat

i saw in the paper this morning that the Sunrail will create 100,000 jobs.

100,000 temporary jobs....in construction.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by CTBorn

Right now I work in A/R, if one of those 100,000 jobs is in that field sign me up! I would need to convince my girlfriend though. She is determined to stay in New England for the time being and isn't sure if she ever wants to return to FL.

Can you operate a backhoe?

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by CTBorn

These are all exciting projects going on for Orlando. I hope that this will also attract more companies outside of tourism to the area.

Not likely since there isn't a sufficient demographic (as in skilled/educated) to attract them.

[CTBorn]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Can you operate a backhoe?

I sure could learn!

[CTBorn]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Not likely since there isn't a sufficient demographic (as in skilled/educated) to attract them.

I didn't think it would happen, but I did have some hope. I love Orlando and am determined to move back!

[IAm_FloridaBorn]

Originally Posted by CTBorn

These are all exciting projects going on for Orlando. I hope that this will also attract more companies outside of tourism to the area.

Well I do to. Hopefully Sun Rail can be a start for that. The creative village will help this also.

Originally Posted by 3jays4me

This is so exciting...I recently moved from FL for a job, I can't wait to move back in a few years.

These projects actually convinced me to stay. So I'm excited for the city.

Originally Posted by chopchop0

They are doing much more than that at ormc. Also fh is building up the main campus and adding buildings in celebration. Ormc is spending $300 million over the next few years to build out a number of services, including a big expansion of their cancer center. The proton center at MD Anderson will be at least $20-30 million on its own
ORMC expansion: Orlando Regional Medical Center announced $300 million expansion plans for 2012 - Orlando Sentinel

Exactly not to mention they bought health central too. They are about to change the face of that area.

Originally Posted by kyle19125

These are all terrific projects and will certainly benefit those in the construction trades, those looking to work in the service industry or tourists coming to/from Disney but beyond that I see little if any positive for the city/region. To progress beyond where we are now we'll need to see diversification beyond an employment sector that largely prides itself on offering lots of $8 an hour part-time jobs
without benefits.

Its a start. At least regardless job creation is happening.

[Pete C]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

These are all terrific projects and will certainly benefit those in the construction trades, those looking to work in the service industry or tourists coming to/from Disney but beyond that I see little if any positive for the city/region. To progress beyond where we are now we'll need to see diversification beyond an employment sector that largely prides itself on offering lots of $8 an hour part-time jobs without benefits.

Why are you only looking at these projects from a jobs perspective? You are dismissing the creation of the performing arts center and SunRail as assets to the city just because they don't bring long-term high paying jobs. What about the residents who will use and enjoy these assets? In another thread you mentioned how great the Kravis Center is in WPB, so why is DPAC not an asset to Orlando in your eyes?

You might say they are putting the cart before the horse, but things like SunRail and a mature downtown can also attract companies to locate here. This city does need long-term, diverse, high-paying jobs, but I see no reason to dismiss these projects because it does not address that.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by Pete C

Why are you only looking at these projects from a jobs perspective? You are dismissing the creation of the performing arts center and SunRail as assets to the city just because they don't bring long-term high paying jobs. What about the residents who will use and enjoy these assets? In another thread you mentioned how great the Kravis Center is in WPB, so why is DPAC not an asset to Orlando in your eyes?

You might say they are putting the cart before the horse, but things like SunRail and a mature downtown can also attract companies to locate here. This city does need long-term, diverse, high-paying jobs, but I see no reason to dismiss these projects because it does not address that.

I don't dismiss the projects but feel it's "cart before horse" at best because I don't feel local politicos are even focused on diversifying the job market with so many of these projects clearly pandering to increasing traffic flow to the theme parks or to/from the airport.

Sure there's been the Lake Nona-Medical City project, though it is attributed to UCF's desire for a new medical school as well as the Veterans Administration's desire for a new facility. Nemour Children's Hospital is need based with ORMC/Winnie Palmer a divided operation with care primarily for Women and Babies, and no other facility in the Orlando area specifically geared toward Pediatrics which every other major city in Florida has already had. The Sanford-Burnham cancer research facility partnered with UCF and the VA to build at Medical City, not by initiatives originated by local officials.

DPAC is a great addition to the city for the small local demographic that will use it and is something the city officials will spray photos of all over city promotional material as a "Hey look at us...we're in the big leagues" kind of way. How many locals do you suppose will be able to afford attending events at DPAC given the average salary here?

Meanwhile the greater good is being ignored as the city continues to overwhelmingly attract service industry jobs..which as we all know do not pay well, require little skills and will continue to attract a demographic to the city that quite frankly cannot be looked at proudly.

In tandem, the brain drain will continue as UCF and others continue to graduate students who will not/cannot find appropriate jobs here and consequently move elsewhere.

Up until now everyone involved in planning seems perfectly content to stick their heads in the ground and pretend it's not happening, but the statistics/numbers do not lie. This city cannot continue to ride the coattails of tourism if it hopes to ever become a relevant, major city.

[katestar]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

I don't dismiss the projects but feel it's "cart before horse" at best because I don't feel local politicos are even focused on diversifying the job market with so many of these projects clearly pandering to increasing traffic flow to the theme parks or to/from the airport.

Sure there's been the Lake Nona-Medical City project, though it is attributed to UCF's desire for a new medical school as well as the Veterans Administration's desire for a new facility. Nemour Children's Hospital is need based with ORMC/Winnie Palmer a divided operation with care primarily for Women and Babies, and no other facility in the Orlando area specifically geared toward Pediatrics which every other major city in Florida has already had. The Sanford-Burnham cancer research facility partnered with UCF and the VA to build at Medical City, not by initiatives originated by local officials.

DPAC is a great addition to the city for the small local demographic that will use it and is something the city officials will spray photos of all over city promotional material as a "Hey look at us...we're in the big leagues" kind of way. How many locals do you suppose will be able to afford attending events at DPAC given the average salary here?

Meanwhile the greater good is being ignored as the city continues to overwhelmingly attract service industry jobs..which as we all know do not pay well, require little skills and will continue to attract a demographic to the city that quite frankly cannot be looked at proudly.

In tandem, the brain drain will continue as UCF and others continue to graduate students who will not/cannot find appropriate jobs here and consequently move elsewhere.

Up until now everyone involved in planning seems perfectly content to stick their heads in the ground and pretend it's not happening, but the statistics/numbers do not lie. This city cannot continue to ride the coattails of tourism if it hopes to ever become a relevant, major city.

Totally agree with this. Tourism is not recession proof. Orlando needs to attract other industries so people either graduate and stay, or move for a good job and slightly cheaper COL. I also agree with the point that on $8 an hour you're not going to be going to DPAC.

[IAm_FloridaBorn]

Originally Posted by katestar

Totally agree with this. Tourism is not recession proof. Orlando needs to attract other industries so people either graduate and stay, or move for a good job and slightly cheaper COL. I also agree with the point that on $8 an hour you're not going to be going to DPAC.

I Know people who make this and can afford season tickets to that pricey Amway Center. Ultimately it comes down to how one manages their money, not their salary.