S eminole ounty C A LTA M O N T E S P R I N G S • C A S S E L B E R RY • L A K E M A RY LONGWOOD • OVIEDO • SANFORD • WINTER SPRINGS
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Seminole County Economic Development 1055 AAA Drive, Suite 145 Heathrow, FL 32746 Phone: (407) 665-7135 Fax: (407) 665-7145 www.Businessinseminole.com PUBLISHED BY:
PROMOTION MAGAZINE
a division of RENI Publishing
JournaI Florida Real Estate
Jim Phillips, Publisher jphillips@frej.net 150 Third Street, SW Winter Haven, FL 33880 800.274.2812 www.frej.net DESIGNED BY:
Table of Contents 4
Introduction
5
Demographics
6
Economic Development
8
Business and Employment
9
Education and Workforce
11
Looking to the Future
T H E
N I S S E N
G R O U P
Ron Palfrey Director of Creative Services rpalfrey@thenissengroup.com Mami Li Designer mli@thenissengroup.com
I ntroducing: Seminole County Seminole County – where innovation, business, and a creative workforce come together Welcome to Seminole County, just 15 minutes north of the downtown Orlando area and right in the heart of Central Florida. Seminole County offers a collection of diverse communities, each offering something special, from historical charm to sophisticated style we have it all right here. Since the 1950s, Seminole has been one of the fastest-growing communities in Florida. By the county’s centennial celebration in 2013, it is projected to be home to nearly 500,000 residents. It may be the second-smallest county in Florida, but Seminole is anything but small when it comes to its ability to offer the best of many different worlds. A hotbed for high-tech and other industry growth, Seminole is recognized for its vitality and diversity, and for the new jobs and capital investment it has generated over the past decade. With a business
4 Seminole County – Florida’s Natural Choice
climate that has fostered quality development, this county has become home to a plethora of dynamic and innovative corporations. Working in Seminole’s favor is a robust infrastructure, available land and a stable of highly regarded educational offerings. Quality of life abounds with a broad selection of entertainment, cultural arts, dining, shopping and recreational activities highlighted by an extensive recreational trail system. Combined, these factors make Seminole a progressive Florida county that boasts some of the highest wages and best quality-of-life opportunities around. Enjoy the great weather and scenery at our picturesque parks or thriving urban centers. From trails, to playgrounds, to sports fields, you’ll find that Seminole County is Florida’s natural choice.
Snap Shot: Seminole County
Sanford Lake Mary
Longwood Altamonte Springs
Winter Springs Casselberry
Oviedo
Population Demographics 2000 Census
2007 Estimate
Total Population
365,196
416,056
Population Density (Pop/Sq Mi)
1,059.0
1,206.5
Total Households
139,572
161,194
Population by Gender Male
178,776
49.0%
205,157
49.3%
Female
186,420
51.1%
210,899
50.7%
Population by Cities Total Population
Median Age
Population Density (per sq. mi.)
Employees
Establishments
Altamonte Springs city
44,010
37.0
4,655.3
23,418
2,335
Casselberry city
23,735
39.7
3,346.2
10,743
1,350
Lake Mary city
13,494
40.1
1,395.1
10,831
838
Longwood city
15,018
40.2
2,676.3
14,473
1,420
Oviedo city
31,142
35.0
2,015.2
7,890
876
Sanford city
45,831
35.2
2,027.9
22,258
1,933
Winter Springs city
34,899
39.8
2,409.4
6,227
771
Source: Decision Data Resources, Accessed April 2008 www.Businessinseminole.com 5
A ttracting High Quality Growth and Innovation
Innovative approach to economic development Seminole has prepared for growth with a keen eye towards continued future expansion, including: an expressway, preapproved development sites, plans for commuter rail service, new local roadway projects, specialized job training, and infrastructure incentives. The county’s public school system is rated among the highest in the state, and the median household effective buying income is the highest in the region. Expansion at the Orlando Sanford International Airport (www.orlandosanfordairport.com) – including the international complex and enlargement of the domestic terminal – has helped this airport become the third most active international airport in Florida and the 19th most active in the U.S. Bill McDermott, Director of Economic Development for Seminole, says two key drivers have encouraged the growth in the region: its top-rated educational offerings and high quality6 Seminole County – Florida’s Natural Choice
of-life standards. “The county’s school system is ranked as one of the best in the state,” he says, “and the rapid business growth has been successfully balanced against quality-of-life initiatives that make Seminole a great place to live, work and play.” Seminole County has developed an innovative approach to economic development linking job growth to target areas. The County’s Economic Development Strategy is based on seven strategic actions related to building a strong business environment: • Increase International Trade • Support Tourism Business • Strengthen Workforce Development • Promote redevelopment of existing infrastructure • Provide incentives to businesses with high value, high wage jobs in the target areas. • Support small and existing businesses • Preserve existing jobs through business retention
Exceptional quality of life makes Seminole County a destination of choice for both business and family. Seminole County statistics speak volumes to the success of the various programs and initiatives undertaken by Seminole County and their respective partners. • Top 100 school district as ranked by Money Magazine • The third highest household income in Florida • The third most active international airport in Florida • Lake Mary ranked fourth best city to live nationally. Winter springs ranked Thirty-first nationally. This also places the cities as the first and second best
Target Areas The Target Areas selected for economic development all have strong businessoriented traits. Each has immediate access to the regional highway system as well as access to both the Orlando Sanford International Airport and Orlando International Airport. Each Target Area is dedicated to improving its respective infrastructure systems. Each Target Area has access to a variety of housing opportunities and price ranges. In addition to these Target Areas, each city has a downtown or economic zone which supports economic growth. The Seminole County Economic Target Development Areas are:
places to live in Florida. • The Jobs Growth Incentive grant program which has assisted 34 companies in creating 11,638 jobs • Model parks and trail system • Property values which have increased by 180.2 percent during the past decade (1997-2007) • Seminole County holds the 5th highest taxable value in Florida based on value per square mile. Each square mile, on an average, in Seminole County contains $97,437,722 of taxable value. • Successful County wide tax increase
North I-4/ Lake Mary Ideal for high-tech related businesses, corporate headquarters and banking. This area has seen tremendous growth in building space and property values.
referendums providing for the funding of
Orlando Sanford International Airport Strategically located to foster growth; this area has vacant land available at the Airport with additional
of natural lands.
additional schools/classrooms and rehabilitation of older schools, road and trail construction, libraries, and purchase
Source: Seminole County Economic Development Department www.Businessinseminole.com 7
vacant lands available in the vicinity. The new terminal and upcoming federally funded improvements to the runways help keep the airport competitive in drawing international business. The Airport serves international tourism and recently received Foreign Trade Zone status. US 17/92 Corridor This corridor is a 13.5 mile community redevelopment area (CRA) located in the heart of Seminole County. The primary purpose of the CRA Agency is to encourage redevelopment and foster new mixed use development along the corridor. SeminoleWay Seminole County’s newest targeted development area runs north from State Road 426 in Oviedo to Interstate 4 in Lake Mary following the State Road 417 Seminole Expressway (Greenway). The SeminoleWay economic target area is highly correlated with S.R. 417 interchange areas and the attraction of quality jobs to these areas.
Employment and Business Age 16 + Population In Labor Force Employed Unemployed In Armed Forces Not In Labor Force
2000 Census
2007 Estimate
283,111 198,515 191,029 7,289 197 84,596
331,294 229,884 218,311 11,358 215 101,195
70.1% 96.2% 3.7% 0.1% 29.9%
Number of Employees (Daytime Pop) Number of Establishments Employees in Blue Collar Occupations
56,801
29.7%
Empployees in White Collar Occupations
134,228
70.3%
69.4% 95.0% 4.9% 0.1% 30.6%
201,384 19,874
Source: Decision Data Resources, Accessed April 2008 8 Seminole County – Florida’s Natural Choice
E ducation and Quality Workforce Head of the Class
Partnering For Success
A strong educational base makes for a capable and a skilled workforce in Seminole County.
Seminole’s school system has over 700 business partners and an educational foundation that raises more than $700,000 annually to support its schools, which comprise traditional educational settings as well as math, science and art magnet schools.
Seminole County schools consistently earn high ranks on their Florida Comprehensive Assessment Tests (FCAT) each year, with 77 percent of the county’s schools ranked as “A” schools. Furthermore, Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores have consistently been well above the state and national averages. Strong community and business support is credited with making Seminole’s schools among the best in the state. In fact, Money magazine’s recent list of the top 100 school districts ranked Seminole among the nation’s highest quality education systems, and the National School of Excellence designation has been awarded to three schools located in the county.
Established in 1965, Seminole Community College (SCC) is a full-service education provider offering two-year A.A. and A.S. degrees; specialized career certificates; continuing professional education; customized workplace training; adult education; and community, leisure and youth programs. Continue to page 10
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Continue from page 9
Seminole Community College has taken a leading role in preparing its students to integrate into nearby University of Central Florida’s bachelor programs, and even offers several four-year programs on the SCC campus. SCC's new Heathrow Center for Economic Development is also home to The Employ Florida Banner Center for Digital Media. The Employ Florida Banner Center is an industry-driven, statewide resource for digital media workforce education and training. The Digital Media Banner Center and its many partners develop, coordinate and promote a wide range of educational resources in rapid and direct response to the ever-changing needs of this critical, targeted industry. For more information please visit digitalmediabannercenter.com.
Be it information technology, automotive, construction or another industry, SCC and its business partners work together to ensure that the institution is preparing its students for a seamless passage into the work world. Recently, the college created a new economic development and employer services department to work with local employers.
Educational Attainment 2000 Census
2007 Estimate
Age 25+ Population
241,994
279,652
Grade K - 8
6,949
2.9%
6,502
2.3%
Grade 9 - 12
19,242
8.0%
12,507
4.5%
High School Graduate
58,963
24.4%
74,561
26.7%
Some College, No Degree
58,610
24.2%
60,928
21.8%
Associates Degree
21,905
9.1%
29,543
10.6%
Bachelor’s Degree
50,987
21.1%
65,099
23.3%
Graduate Degree
24,141
10.0%
30,512
10.9%
No Schooling Completed
1,197
0.5%
NEWSWEEK Magazine
Source: Decision Data Resources, Accessed April 2008
ranked the nation’s 27,000+ high schools according to
Labor Labor Force
the Challenge Index. For the 224,401
third consecutive year, ALL 8 of the Seminole County
County Unemployment Rate
5.0%
National Unemployment Rate
6.0%
schools were ranked in the
Florida Unemployment Rate
5.1%
top 5% of the nation.
MSA Unemployment Rate
4.9%
(Hagerty HS and Quest Academy did not have seniors.)
10 Seminole County – Florida’s Natural Choice
Four-year public high
Looking to the Future The County is committed to its future growth and prosperity by continuing to attract business investments and high wage job growth. The creation of a strong identity for Seminole County in a regional setting and actively supporting economic development infrastructures will allow the County to benefit from the worldwide strength of the Central Florida region and further
increase our local economy. Economic Development Programs and partnerships will continue to carry out objectives to further enhance the County as a great place to live that will attract economic prosperity; build a strong business environment and communicate the extraordinary Seminole County opportunity to families, businesses, and visitors.
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