Articles / Opinions by Thompson

Economic Diversification Key to Job Creation in Central Florida

Growth in Central Florida has slowed a bit over the past few years leaving some businesses, small and large, forced to close their doors.

The truth is, a majority of our state and local dollars come from growth and property taxes, agriculture and tourism. If one of those economic legs isn’t doing well, then we have a major funding problem, like we have right now. To create a sustainable economic future in Central Florida, we must take advantage of opportunities to change our economic landscape.

Luckily for those of us reading this, our future is in our hands – literally right in our own backyard. District 4 is a vital piece to the economic landscape puzzle, if you will, with several large-scale opportunities primed to strengthen our economic future. From Lake Nona’s “Medical City” to the expansion of the Central Florida Research Park into ICP to redevelopment efforts amongst many of our small business corridors, diversification and economic prosperity is knocking at our doors. It’s up to our political and business leaders to answer those calls and open those doors.

To realize the goal it’s going to take a clear goal and smart, long-range planning. Each opportunity will need to be studied and reviewed, both holistically and individually, as each is an economic activity center with its own pros and cons.

Growing up in Central Florida, I learned that if opportunity comes knocking, you answer. If changing our economic future is the goal, then we must plan ahead and be ready to open those doors starting today.

Healthy Community Starts with Us

Thompson Prepares for Saturday Morning Ride
Thompson Prepares for Saturday Morning Ride
Over 350 Kids participated in KidFit 2008, started by Thompson
Over 350 Kids participated in KidFit 2008, started by Thompson

Have you ever had one of those days where you know that, no matter how hard you work, there’s just not enough hours to get everything done? A recent, sun-soaked Saturday was one of those days – busy beyond belief. But, that’s alright. I thrive on these days and they help to keep me going. Hard work pays off, after all.

As the morning approached, I got up early to cycle (one of my new favorite activities) with the East Side Cycling Club. My husband David couldn’t join me because he was helping setup a health fair we put together at one of the local churches. He knew I had a busy day ahead and thought it best for me to spend a few hours burning excess energy and getting lost in prioritizing my thoughts (it’s how I’m able to keep everything straight).  So there I was, 6:45 a.m. and ready to ride.

Why am I telling you all this? Well, it’s because I now see first-hand the benefit of living a healthy lifestyle. All this health-centric business is new to me.  I’ve always paid attention to what I eat and tried to exercise; but, lately I have taken it much further. After getting involved in the Disney Marathon two years ago with Team Burnham I have turned over a new  leaf.

As our country continues to argue the pros and cons of healthcare reform, I have started to wonder what a difference we could make at the local level.  If even a small part of this attention were put towards changing lifestyles and making our communities more health conscious in general, then we could truly impact lives. The preventative approach may be one of the best and most cost effective long term solutions, and by creating a rich environment that encourages healthy activity and interaction, we may be able to better our communities and thus our coveted quality of life in the process.

Thompson with her running partner after completing 2009 Disney Marathon

Thompson with her running partner after completing 2009 Disney Marathon

Generally, and with new communities especially, we leave it up to the developers and construction engineers to install the “extras” that make a community a desirable place  to live.  Sure, Orange County prefers developers that adopt a new urbanism, smart growth approach, but there is always more that can be done.

I’m talking about people-friendly roads and cross walks and pedestrian bridges if they’re needed. I’m talking about parks and wide sidewalks to encourage accessibility – and safety. On my recent Saturday cycling trip, I saw a terrible accident as a female rider rode off the road to avoid a vehicle and, when trying to re-enter, collided with other cyclers. There was no bike lane. There was no curb. No sidewalk, even. Many older roads are built to be vehicle-friendly leaving those of us who want to use them for other transportation purposes, be it on bike or on foot, out of luck.

Kid's Fitness Event started by Thompson in 2008

Kid's Fitness Event started by Thompson in 2008

Obviously, if the roads and neighborhoods present physical danger, they will be used far less for healthy activities. Many of us are risking our lives to be healthy. Talk about ironic. You see, by promoting these spaces we can create a better community and a healthier Central Florida. Out of all the work I had to do Saturday, that is what I learned and this ideal is what I will carry with me. Don’t you just love those busy days?

Partnering for a Better Community

Two heads are better than one. There’s strength in numbers. Whatever you want to call it, working together to get things done leads to increased collaboration, manpower and results. Now more than ever, we have to take these words to heart. Whether we’re talking about businesses, residents, non-profit organizations, governments, school systems – the message is the same: we have to do more with less.

Today, we must work together, lean on each other, to get things done. As many of us face a time where there are less pennies to save, there are plenty more to be earned. However, how we go about acquiring them is changing. And it’s not just for the proverbial pennies either. The same goes for donations, government issues, our respective workplaces and even our homes.

Ideal partnerships involve joining with someone who has similar values to your own. You want someone with similar moral convictions but with a different skill set so you are both benefiting from the arrangement. The idea is to operate more efficiently to get things done with less, and it is vital as we push forward. Each entity should also be fluid or adaptable to change. Even though each will have their specific roles, they must understand that shifting tasks, responsibilities and even goals will sometimes be necessary. Remember it’s alright if you disagree. Each entity in the partnership has to keep the others in line, and often better solutions come from disagreement.

As our communities continue to evolve, we must learn to evolve with them. If we have a case where we are forced to maintain the same level of responsibility, but we have less means to accomplish them, to succeed we must find a way to make the circumstances work for us. This is where partnerships come into play in each and every one of our daily lives. The idea is that when you need something, you have someone you can count on. Now is the time to meet that person. Now is the time to grow that network. Now is the time to build those partnerships necessary for continued success at home and at work.

Great communities are built through positive relationships. Meaning the better the relationships in your community, the better the communication. That communication provides insight to an unlimited supply of ideas, resources and feedback. Partnering with more people can open an array of opportunities and new, innovative ways to get things done. That is why it is imperative that we each look at ourselves and our relationships to build the most meaningful partnerships we can.

Now is the time to build these ideal partnerships into every facet of our lives. People around the nation and around the neighborhood are looking for collaborative situations where they can be of assistance. One thing I’ve learned is to never overlook a potential network, because you never know who is going to help your or how they are going to do it. You’d be amazed at just exactly who knows who or what you may need help with one day. Sure, you should plan for an immediate, mutually beneficial partnership, but do not neglect those that can help you in the future. Like I said, now is the time to really get out there and introduce yourself to what’s next in the short-term and the long-term.

As you go through this month, think about the ways your days could be improved if you had a meaningful partnership with someone else. Perhaps it’s a fellow employee. Maybe it’s a grocery clerk. Whatever the case, think of this time as an opportunity to foster your personal and professional growth in a moment where a partnership can be more than a friendship. It can be a life saver.