BUSINESS BRIEFS
Orlando Approves Lease for 4 Roots Farm in The Packing District The City of Orlando has approved a lease for the 18-acre 4 Roots Farm Campus, a unique urban farm that is a project of the 4R Foundation. Work could begin this fall on the campus, which is located in the emerging Packing District near the College Park section of Orlando and is designed to protect the wetlands and steward the land in ways that benefit the surrounding community. “4Roots will be a place where thought leaders from around the world converge to challenge the norm and explore new ideas and innovations for building a sustainable food system and restoring a harmonistic relationship with the land,” said John Rivers, founder and CEO of 4Roots and the 4 Rivers restaurant collection. “Our vigorous pursuit of advancements in regenerative farming, culinary medicine, soil health, food science and community health will create a world-class showcase on the art and science of agriculture, and our vital relationship with nature.” The campus will focus on creating a sustainable regional food system to tackle food waste, farmland erosion, farmer declines, and local hunger. Features will include a discovery center, a convention and event barn, a teaching/demo kitchen, a farm-to-table restaurant, community greens for farmers’ markets, concerts, art expos and flexible classrooms. Dr. Phillips Charities has committed $1 million to the development of the farm campus. The Packing District is a $700 million community development project on 104 acres gifted to the City of Orlando by Dr. Phillips Charities in 2018 to develop a regional park that will serve as a hub for wellness programs and provide a site for amenities, including the city’s tennis center and trails for cycling and running.
Business 10 | JULY/AUGUST 2020 | i4Biz.com
Valencia College Receives Metallica Workforce Grant
A group of Valencia College students is receiving scholarships courtesy of heavy metal band Metallica for short-term training in construction trades. Valencia was one of 15 colleges nationwide selected to receive a $100,000 grant from the Metallica Scholars Initiative workforce program All Within My Hands.
bulldozers, front-end loaders, excavators and trucks. Graduates of these programs earn starting wages of $16 to $24 an hour in Central Florida. Valencia College’s continuing education team works closely with local industry and businesses to provide short-term skills training in fields in high demand.
Founded in 2018, the program helps provide students with the skills and knowledge to transition into high-paying, high-demand jobs in their communities. The scholarship will benefit an estimated 25 students from low-income families in Orange and Osceola counties who will be trained in areas such as welders and operators of heavy equipment including
“All of us in the band feel fortunate that music has provided us the opportunity to be successful doing something we are passionate about,” said Lars Ulrich, Metallica’s co-founder and drummer. “We want to share our success with others so that they can find a job where they can do the same.”
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