Articles / Opinions by Thompson

From the Commissioner’s Desk

Published in Insight Magazine, February 2011

Insight Magazine is an East / Southeast Orlando publication and this update is written specifically for this audience.

By Jennifer Thompson, Orange County Commissioner, District 4

What an incredible past 30 days it has been for me. After taking office officially as your new District 4 Commissioner for Orange County on January 4, I made it a priority to get the ball rolling on a number of different projects. This article is the first in a monthly series designed to inform you, the East Orange County resident, of what’s going on throughout the year. I look forward to serving you and hearing from you whenever there is an issue.

Here are some of the things I’ve been working on:

Alafaya Trail Widening – The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) approved the construction bid for the widening of the road on January 25 and construction is finally scheduled to begin work in the next month or so. Construction should last just over two years. The road being built is far less than what was originally promised as it lacks lighting, landscaping and a bike lane during the initial phase; but, I will continue to press for the addition of the lighting and landscaping. The bike lane was removed by a vote of the BCC several years ago, and due to a lack of available right of way, cannot be added.

The official ground breaking ceremony for the Alafaya Trail widening is taking place in conjunction with the East Orlando Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Stoneybrook East on February 16 at 11:30am. We will also be hosting a community meeting on Thursday, March 3, from 6-8 p.m. at Stone Lakes Elementary to outline construction timelines, expectations and explore options for landscaping and lighting.

Narcoossee Road – The widening of Narcoossee Road continues to be a drain on local businesses, both in the County’s and the City of Orlando’s respective zones. My office is currently working with local businesses to improve communication regarding the construction timeline. Orange County’s portion of the road is scheduled to be completed by the summer while the city’s portion is scheduled to be completed by March or April.

Parks – I’ve spent this first 30 days working on several parks and recreation-related projects, including ball fields, and hope to have specific announcements on my progress in the next several months. If you represent a local team or organized athletic organization and would be interested in serving in an advisory/grassroots capacity to bring additional recreational facilities to East Orange County, please contact my County office.

Graffiti – My office has begun working with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and Orange County Code Enforcement Officers to address the issues and identify potential opportunities to be proactive in dealing with it. If you are interested in being part of the solution, again, please contact my office.

Jobs – Jobs and economic development are my number one concentrations as your County Commissioner. I have already convened a meeting of the Innovation Way stakeholders and have begun working with Orange County staff on economic development issues and policy discussions to improve the environment for businesses looking to make Orange County home and/or expand here. Most of the calls I have received from business owners are related to communication and inefficiency issues. In that regard, my office is actively supporting the Mayor’s initiatives to streamline operations and provide better overall customer service. I recently traveled to Brevard County to attend a meeting of their Space Coast Energy Consortium and was quite impressed by the forward-thinking discussions and collaboration amongst businesses in this region. My desire is to work regionally to create new industry opportunities and help jumpstart job creation in our community.

Overall, it’s been a busy and productive first 30 days in office. I wanted to take a moment and remind you that I’m here for you, so if you need to reach my office, please visit my website at www.JenniferThompson.net or follow me on Facebook on the Jennifer Thompson, Orange County Commissioner page.

I hope that you will consider getting involved in your local government because I firmly believe that together, we will make a difference in Orange County.

Understanding Business Needs Key to Future Stability/Growth

Jun 25th, 2010

by jennthompson.

No comments yet

Each week I host a small business networking/mentoring group called Coffee Club. Recently, we welcomed Angela Salva as our guest speaker to share her personal journey about starting her own business with the 100 or so small business owners in attendance.

After graduating from UCF with a master’s degree in computer engineering she worked several years in the modeling and simulation industry. It was here that she saw the foundation being laid for the medical city in Lake Nona and decided that she was going to take the leap, do it her way and become a not-so small business owner.

Today, Angela is the CEO of her own small technology firm that she started from the ground up. When she was speaking to the group, I asked her, “Why here and why right now?” Her answer, point blank, was: “Because it is the right time and Orlando is the right place.”

Throughout the last year, I have met with multiple companies interested in creating real-wage jobs in District 4 – one is a national defense industry simulation company with a current location in Research Park. They have the federal go-ahead to take one of their clean-tech based research projects into commercialization.

That translates into real value positions and opportunities in the next 18 months – starting with 50+ jobs at $75,000+ per year. They want to be in the east/southeast Orange County region. Why? Because of Innovation Way, our proximity to the airport and the Beachline Expressway.

The District 4 region is appealing to dozens of companies just like this one, as long as our next leaders of Orange County are doing what it takes to get them here. The next county commissioner for District 4 needs to be focused on a long-term strategic development plan.

It is critical that we have a clear understanding of the environment that the business community is looking for when considering Central Florida as a potential home. It is also critical that Orange County is ready to retain those businesses looking to expand in our community – like the ones currently growing within the Central Florida Research Park and the surrounding areas.

As Orange County Commissioner, I plan to cultivate the strong business environment that will bring those real-wage jobs to the residents that are here now and those that will be here for future generations.

It is my firm belief that diversifying our economy and investing in jobs is our best bet for improving the housing crisis and creating needed economic stability and growth for the future.

Bringing Real Jobs and New Industry to Orange County

Apr 15th, 2010

by jennthompson.

No comments yet

I was recently interviewed by Orlando Medical News about my thoughts on the current economic climate and the potential impacts of ”Medical City” and Innovation Way for our community. Read the front page article for yourself.

I firmly believe that our local leaders will play a pivotal role in creating jobs, attracting business and providing a sustainable economic future and job resource center for our entire region. It is imperative that our next generation of leaders in Orange County have a clear understanding of the impact the $5 Billion Modeling and Simulation industry has had on our local economy as well as the entire state and beyond.

The fact is, we have a real opportunity to build something great for future generations. With the right leadership and collaborative partnerships in place, Central Florida has the chance to leverage our knowledge and intellectual capital in Modeling and Simulation and lead the charge in the Medical Modeling and Simulation industry. Between UCF, the Central Florida Research Park and its planned expansion into International Corporate Park, Lake Nona’s “Medical City” and our proximity to Orlando International Airport and the Space Coast, this is the ‘Perfect Storm’ of opportunity. The time to act is now.

Recently at my Small Business Networking Group, Coffee Club, I had the opportunity to sit down with our guest speaker, President of the National Center for Simulation, General Tom Baptiste. General Baptiste shared with me and our group of over 100 small businesses that the decision by UCF to place the Medical College in “Medical City” and the V.A.’s decision to create a 55,000 square foot Medical Simulation Center at their hospital, further support the claim that Central Florida has the potential to become the epicenter for the world in medical simulation research and development.

Take a look at our discussion and ideas about how to provide jobs and opportunities for our entire region here: