Business View Magazine | September 2020

210 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2020 – each valued between $2 - $3Million. Then in the southern quadrant of the airport, we have a manufacturing expansion coming online. It’s an exciting time for our airport, with all the activity occurring, and we welcome more investments.” Attracting new companies to the community is one leg of the Economic Development Office’s three-legged stool agenda. “There’s also helping existing companies stay and grow, and the third leg of the stool is encouraging start-ups,” Kirkegard states. “We handle all three.” Regarding the first leg, the City offers incentives to companies coming in if they meet specific benchmarks. “Expanding companies are equally important,” Kirkegard adds. “You want to retain them and help them grow because they are part of our community’s fabric. When it comes to supporting new start-ups, the City contracts with non- profits organizations that specialize in that pursuit. We fund non-profits like the Small Business Development Center or the University of Central Florida Downtown Kissimmee Incubator program. We fund these programs, so aspiring entrepreneurs can get the support and coaching they need, at no cost to them.” Meanwhile, Kissimmee offers many other attributes and assets to newcomers and current residents. It currently has over $100 million invested in infrastructure projects, including several road widening initiatives on major arteries. It is also in the process of creating a comprehensive trail system for walkers, bikers, and runners, that, when complete, will link the City with trail systems in Osceola County, Orange County to the north, and the City of Orlando. Through the Florida Municipal Solar Project with Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA), the City of Kissimmee has powered all its public facilities with solar energy since June 30, 2020, said Melissa Zayas-Moreno, the City’s Communications and Public Affairs Officer. The Florida Municipal Solar Project is a partnership between the Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) and 16 Florida public power utilities. It’s a large-scale renewable energy project that will enable KUA to provide