“…We are taking Orange County to the next level in every possible way.”
Those were the words that Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings highlighted throughout the 2023 State of the County address at the Orange County Convention Center in the Linda Chapin Theatre on Friday. Elected officials, county employees, and residents were in attendance as Demings recounted the achievements and future plans of Orange County.
“This has been a year of significant achievements, record-breaking tourism numbers, and strong economic growth,” Demings said. “It has also been a year of triumphs, hardships, and challenges that only Mother Nature could deliver.”
Demings said that Hurricane Ian “left thousands without power or livable homes,” and its impact is being felt with some residents still living in “alternative housing.” The County’s Office of Emergency Management handles the operations before and after tropical storms and hurricanes. For Hurricane Ian, schools were converted into shelters and gave about “1,600 evacuees” refuge from the storm. Orange County Fire Rescue “rescued 1,700 residents and their pets.” $243 million was provided to the County by HUD and FEMA, which will be used for those who were affected by Hurricane Ian and for populations that are at high risk for homelessness if another powerful storm passes through Orange County.
Demings said that Orange County has helped more than “15,000” cost-burdened renters from being evicted through Orange County’s Emergency Rental Assistance program. The Housing for All Action Plan and the “first” Housing Trust Fund were established in 2019 and hold a “$160 million commitment” to help sustain affordable housing for low-income households. “1,200 tenants and landlords” have received aid from the new Office of Tenant Services, and “more than 2,000 affordable housing units” are or will be made available. Orange County’s 20-year-old down payment assistance program has funded “more than $73 million” and helped residents become homeowners.
“Strengthening our partnerships and investing in the Housing Trust Fund takes affordable housing to the next level,” Demings said.
Demings said that Orange County created Team 400 Customer-First Initiative to offer top-notch customer service to “contractors and businesses.” In 2022, the County went above $3.4 billion in new construction development and nearly $3 billion in permits.
The National Association of Counties recognized Orange County for “innovative programs, community collaboration, and creativity in service delivery” and won seven national achievement awards.
“Focusing on economic development that welcomes businesses, innovations, and entrepreneurs is taking our economy to the next level,” Demings said.
Demings said tourism and the hospitality industry have been reinvigorated after some years of struggle due to the pandemic, and with a vast array of attractions, Orange County remains to be the most popular tourist destination in the world. In 2022, “74 million” tourists visited, and in 2025, Epic Universe, a new theme park being built by Universal Orlando, is planned to open.
Besides theme parks, sporting events like the AAU National Championship for Volleyball brought over “178,000 attendees and $228 million in economic impact.” The PGA Show, Open Championship Cheer and Dance, and Megacon, combined, “netted $364 million in economic impact.” It is expected that by year’s end, “159 events and $2.8 billion in economic impact” will be made.
Orange County charges hotel guests a Tourist Development Tax and, over the last three years, has amassed a reserve of “$300 million.”
“Continued investment in tourism promotion is how we take tourism and hospitality to the next level,” Demings said.
Demings said the Transportation Sales Tax Initiative did not pass but in 2022, “$7.3 million” was “invested in ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps and pedestrian-related safety improvements.” Orange County looks to improve transportation and roadways and to protect pedestrians and cyclists.
Orange County has plans to launch the Center of Innovation, Design, and Inclusion, which is intended to focus on “tackling community issues.” The County’s Broadband Opportunity grant program will work with community partners to supply “telehealth, employment opportunities, and other community resources” by lessening the “digital divide.”
Soon, more information will be released about the “second phase” of the Small Business, Home-Based, and Gig Worker grant program that will help “eligible small businesses that are still recovering from the pandemic.”
In February, the day after a TV reporter and a 9-year-old child lost their lives “to a tragic and senseless shooting,” Demings said he reconvened the Citizens Safety Task Force to review and modify “recommendations to reduce and prevent gun violence and violent crime.” He said $2 million has been purposed for “prevention and intervention initiatives, with most of it awarded to small, grassroots non-profit organizations.” Two successful youth programs being supported are the Credible Messenger Program and the Save Our Students program from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida.
“Protecting our community and enhancing programs and services takes public safety to the next level,” Demings said. “Ensuring access to children and family programs takes our services to the next level.”
Demings said that 30 years ago, Orange County “created the Green PLACE program to preserve, enhance, and restore environmentally sensitive lands.” Through the program, the plan is “to preserve an additional 23,000 acres by 2030.” Hamlin Water Reclamation Facility opened this spring and will serve 40,000 residents and will expand “to meet the needs of current and future residents.”
“Preserving and sustaining our commitment to the environment take the community’s quality of life to the next level,” Demings said.
Demings said that Orange County, being the fifth most populated county in the state and exceeding 1.5 million residents, is home to a diverse community.
“We are a caring and welcoming community that celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion,” Demings said. “ We are a community where blacks, whites, Jews, gentiles, Latinos, Native Americans, Asians, LGBTQ+, and all law-abiding citizens are welcomed.”
Less than a week from now, Orange County’s MLK Initiative will hold its second Juneteenth Celebration, which is now a national holiday. The MLK Initiative hopes to inspire reading by partnering with the Orange County Library System. The County’s first Women’s History Month Forum was held to celebrate “the stories of strong, successful women in Orange County.” The fiftieth anniversary of the Vietnam War Veterans Commemoration was recently held at the VA Memorial at Lake Nona with over “400 veterans and families” present.
“Investing in the arts, entertainment, and culture takes our community’s diversity to the next level,” Demings said.
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