{"id":5951,"date":"2014-06-06T16:51:55","date_gmt":"2014-06-06T16:51:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ocfl.flywheelsites.com\/2014\/06\/state-of-orange-county-focuses-on-the-year-of-transformation\/"},"modified":"2017-04-03T19:13:28","modified_gmt":"2017-04-03T19:13:28","slug":"state-of-orange-county-focuses-on-the-year-of-transformation","status":"publish","type":"press-release","link":"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/media-advisories\/press-releases\/2014\/06\/state-of-orange-county-focuses-on-the-year-of-transformation\/","title":{"rendered":"State of Orange County Focuses on the Year of Transformation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-7591\" src=\"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/MayorLogo-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/MayorLogo-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/MayorLogo-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/MayorLogo-241x241.png 241w, https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/MayorLogo.png 539w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Orange County, FL<\/strong> &#8211; Mayor Teresa Jacobs delivered her 2014 State of the County Address at the historic Ballroom on Church Street today, June 6, before an audience of more than 600 citizens, community leaders, and special guests.<\/p>\n<p>During her 30-minute speech, Mayor Jacobs took citizens on a journey highlighting the outstanding achievements of the region and the many milestones the community has accomplished together making Orange County the best place in the world to live, learn, work, and raise a family.<\/p>\n<p>Mayor Jacobs began the address by acknowledging the 70<sup>th<\/sup> anniversary of D-day and honoring the heroism of the men and women of our armed forces. She also thanked her family for their support as well as elected officials and the many partner organizations, volunteers, and board members whose great work is vital to our thriving community.<\/p>\n<p>The address then moved to the strong indicators that tell the story of the transformation of our booming local economy. Construction is up 5 percent, unemployment is down from 11.3 percent when Mayor Jacobs took office, to 5.3 percent with 77,042 new jobs recently created. The region is also now a magnet for life science and high tech companies, as well as for tourist with 59 million visitors coming to the region in 2013 generating $187 million in tourist development taxes.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOrlando is already one of the most recognizable places in the world, and we have a very positive image as one of the best places to visit,\u201d said Mayor Jacobs. \u201cToday our region is in the process of rolling out a new branding campaign to tell the whole story of our incredible economic assets and unrivaled quality of life.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Mayor Jacobs illustrated how the campaign, \u201cOrlando, you don\u2019t know the half of it,\u201d will aggressively raise awareness and transform the way the world perceives the region. The messages of this year\u2019s State of the County were spread on social media through a group of Social Media Ambassadors with more than 50,000 followers on Twitter alone. The Ambassadors live-tweeted and used Facebook and Instagram throughout the speech. Additionally, Google Glass recorded and shared live from the eyes of one of the Ambassadors. This outreach\u2014the first of its kind in the state\u2014furthered Mayor Jacobs commitment to public engagement by involving the online community and highlighting the unique entrepreneurial talent that continues to create jobs and opportunities.<\/p>\n<p>The growth and transformation of central Florida\u2019s infrastructure and transportation was a key portion of the address, which showcased SunRail and the continuing work on an Osceola County and Lynx connection, as well as the All Aboard Florida project that may someday tie into a new multi-modal hub at Orlando International Airport.<\/p>\n<p>Mayor Jacobs\u2019 vision for a new future for our children centered on the transformation seen in entertainment, sports and culture. The Dr. Phillips Center (DPC) will open by Thanksgiving, ushering in a new era of creativity. Attendees participated in a sneak peek of the venue by taking part in a walking tour of the construction site and DPC offices. The tour came just days after a ceremonial beam rising at the Citrus Bowl, which is currently at the mid-way point of its renovations. Mayor Jacobs also explained how central Florida is becoming a sports Mecca with the new MLS soccer stadium coming to Orlando as well as the US Tennis Association headquarters planned for Lake Nona.<\/p>\n<p>The State of the County then turned to issues affecting those in need of care. Task forces like the ones focused on domestic violence and youth mental health issues are transforming how the community views the stigmas associated with the victims while finding solutions that include the implementation of effective strategies and care.<\/p>\n<p>Looking ahead, Mayor Jacobs outlined what is being planning for the future. She unveiled a new OCFL News App designed to provide citizens with breaking news and important information. The app is the third to be introduced to the community. Previously, Orange County pioneered the OCFL Alert and OCFL 311 apps which were recently demonstrated to President Barack Obama and top Homeland Security officials. For subscription information for the County\u2019s mobile apps, visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.orangecountyfl.net\/Home\/311HelpInfo.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">OCFL 311<\/a> and OCFL Alerts and OCFL News.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re not designing for this year, or the next five years,\u201d said Mayor Jacobs. \u201cWe\u2019re transforming how we live, work and play to sustain a lifetime of learning, discovery, and recreation for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>That transformation is reality for Mrs. Opal Shields, Mayor Jacobs\u2019 special guest who arrived at the State of the County riding SunRail for the first time. The retired Orange County teacher, who will turn 100 next month, has memories of serving in WWII as one of the Navy\u2019s WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). Shields has also lived through the incredible changes the Orange County community has experienced. \u201cIf there is anyone who can attest that this transformation is real, it\u2019s our special guest,\u201d proclaimed Mayor Jacobs before closing her speech by thanking everyone for attending and being part of transforming the region into a sustainable community brimming with opportunity, diversity and promise.<\/p>\n<p>This year\u2019s State of the County event was sponsored by the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association. The speech aired live on Orange TV and will be rebroadcast at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on June 6, 2014. Photos are also available for download on Mayor Jacobs\u2019 official <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/mayorteresajacobs\/sets\/72157644630881219\/\" target=\"_blank\">Flickr page<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mayor Teresa Jacobs delivered her 2014 State of the County Address at the historic Ballroom on Church Street today, June 6, before an audience of more than 600 citizens, community leaders, and special guests. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-5951","press-release","type-press-release","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>State of Orange County Focuses on the Year of Transformation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link 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