Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs continues to champion the region\u2019s Modeling, Simulation and Training (MS&T) cluster and recently hosted several events to support this high-value, high-wage economic driver in Central Florida.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis capital-intensive sector is one of our region\u2019s most important economic assets,\u201d Mayor Jacobs said. \u201cProtecting, nourishing, and growing this innovation-driven sector is vital for all future generations of Floridians.\u201d<\/p>\n
The MS&T industry contributes nearly $5 billion to Florida’s gross state product and directly employs more than 27,000 Floridians, with an annual average salary of almost $70,000.<\/p>\n
In December, Mayor Jacobs hosted Orange County\u2019s MS&T Blue Ribbon reception at the Orange County Convention Center and lauded the decision of the Florida Legislature to appropriate $8 million toward the expansion of the MS&T training complex at the Central Florida Research Park.<\/p>\n
Mayor Jacobs founded the MS&T Blue Ribbon Commission in June 2013 to bring together a coalition of community leaders and industry stakeholders to generate awareness regarding the highly synergistic nature of MS&T to other key sectors of Orange County\u2019s economy, including medical, gaming, education, aviation\/aerospace, animation\/theme park, emergency management and public safety.<\/p>\n
The reception coincided with STEM Week (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and the world\u2019s largest MS&T trade show \u2013 the Interservice\/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I\/ITSEC).<\/p>\n
Hosted annually at Orange County\u2019s Convention Center, I\/ITSEC attracts more than 500 corporations, government and research organizations from the United States and other countries around the globe. The Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force are at the core of the simulation and training industry and play a vital role in MS&T development.<\/p>\n
In November, Mayor Jacobs hosted a meeting with Central Florida\u2019s military leadership focusing on the impact the armed forces has in training initiatives and how Orange County can continue to be in sync with local military command leaders to support these efforts. Attendees included MS&T Blue Ribbon Commission chair Waymon Armstrong, George Cheros, Col. Bradley M. Crites, Major Gen. Jonathan Maddux, Lt. Col. Walter Yates and Col. Gary Laase.<\/p>\n