also have a modeling simulation and training cluster, a biomedical cluster, and an innovative technologies cluster at Creative Village, we have a lot of different industries and industry types, and they are large industries of the future,” Mayor Dyer outlines. “We have a long history in the technology sector, going back to NASA, and Martin Marietta, which is now Lockheed Martin, in the defense industries.” Mayor Dyer’s emphasis on industry collaboration highlights Orlando’s unique ‘secret sauce’; a culture of partnership that transcends boundaries between government, businesses, non-profit organizations, and education institutions. This collaborative ethos serves as a cornerstone for economic vitality and growth. “The University of Central Florida (UCF), is known as the ‘partnership university,’ when we’re trying to attract whoever it may be, you’re going to end up being in the room with both the Orange County Mayor and the City of Orlando Mayor, as well as the leaders of Disney, Universal, and our local downtown businesses, all collectively singing from the same songbook.” “I think that’s an important aspect of how we’ve been successful. Visit Orlando and the Orlando Economic Partnership work hand-in-hand and have developed our brand, which is ‘Orlando – Unbelievably Real,’ playing off the tourism and innovation sectors,” Mayer Dyer notes. “We have the Minority or Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) program which has both financial aspects as well as training and leadership aspects to it, and we have MWBE goals for all of our procurement. We have a blueprint for those three community venues that have specific large goals in terms of minority and women-owned business that we exceeded, so it’s always on our plate to do what we can to help those businesses.” NURTURING SMALL BUSINESS ECOSYSTEMS In the heart of Orlando’s economic landscape lies a vibrant ecosystem of small businesses, driving entrepreneurship and innovation. Mayor Dyer accentuates the city’s commitment to fostering a 4 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 07
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