{"id":432302,"date":"2026-10-19T20:22:19","date_gmt":"2026-10-19T20:22:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/432302\/"},"modified":"2026-10-19T20:22:19","modified_gmt":"2026-10-19T20:22:19","slug":"the-orlando-regional-perspective-october-16-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/432302\/","title":{"rendered":"The Orlando Regional Perspective | October 16, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to this week\u2019s\u00a0Regional Perspective,\u00a0where I share stories that bring the\u00a0Orlando 2045 Vision<\/a> to life and highlight the progress shaping our region\u2019s future.<\/p>\n

1) Investing in Orlando\u2019s innovation ecosystem \u2013The City of Orlando and the Orlando Economic Partnership (OEP) announced eight recipients of the 2026 Orlando Tech Grant, representing a $65,000 investment in organizations connecting entrepreneurs, talent, and industry. By supporting the people and organizations building our technology community, we are strengthening the foundation Orlando needs to compete as a leading innovation hub. Read more about the 2026 Orlando Tech Grant recipients<\/a>.<\/p>\n

2) Voters taking a closer look at Amendment 3 \u2013 Opposition to Amendment 3 continues to grow as voters learn more about the potential negative impacts on public safety and other essential services provided by local government. A new poll conducted for Associated Industries of Florida found that support for Amendment 3 falls short of the 60% it needs to pass. After hearing the full ballot language, 53% of respondents said they supported the constitutional amendment. Support was strongest in the Miami and Tampa areas, at 56% each, still short of passage. The weakest support is in the Orlando region, with just 48% in support, a finding that demonstrates the value of OEP\u2019s recent Policy in Progress Series forum on property tax reform. Read more about the Amendment 3 polling<\/a>.<\/p>\n

3) J.P. Morgan economist Dan Silver to headline Regional Economic Summit \u2013 The OEP\u2019s 2026 Regional Economic Summit hosted on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at Full Sail Live in Winter Park, will feature Dan Silver, J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking Head of Industry & Regional Insights, as the keynote speaker. Join business and community leaders for a morning of insights on the economic trends, opportunities and priorities shaping Central Florida\u2019s next chapter of growth and Orlando\u2019s competitive position. Register and learn more<\/a>.<\/p>\n

4) The City Playbook: Inside Siemens Energy\u2019s Big Move to Orlando \u2013 On the latest episode of The City Playbook, I sit down with Fadi Ghantous, U.S. leader at Siemens Energy, to talk about the company\u2019s decision to move its U.S. headquarters and Americas hub to Lake Nona and why Orlando is central to its future. We also explore the rising energy demands of AI and data centers, the importance of talent, and what it will take to power the next generation of growth. Watch the episode<\/a>, and please like, share, and subscribe to help us grow The City Playbook audience.<\/p>\n

5) Building Florida\u2019s semiconductor workforce \u2013The NSF Florida Semiconductor Engine and Florida Semiconductor Institute are seeking proposals to expand semiconductor education, training, and career pathways across the Engine\u2019s 23-county service area. With proposals due October 16, this is an opportunity to connect education more directly with industry needs and build the talent pipeline required to support Florida\u2019s growing semiconductor ecosystem. Learn more and submit a proposal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

6) Celebrating Orlando\u2019s most powerful leaders \u2013Congratulations to the business and community leaders recognized by Orlando Magazine among the \u201cMost Powerful People\u201d in the City Beautiful 2026. Of the 50 leaders named, 36 are actively engaged with the OEP, a reflection of the leadership our investors bring to shaping Central Florida\u2019s economy and future. A special congratulations to Michael Brown, president and CEO of Travel + Leisure Co. and a member of OEP\u2019s Governors Council, who was named the inaugural recipient of the Harris Rosen Heart of Central Florida Award for his leadership, service, and commitment to our community.<\/p>\n

Programs & Events<\/p>\n

Leadership Orlando Alumni Association \u2013 Stay connected, continue leading, and help shape what\u2019s next for our region \/\/ LEARN MORE & JOIN<\/a><\/p>\n

2026 Regional Economic Summit \/\/ November 17 \/\/ REGISTER TODAY<\/a>
Interested in being a sponsor? Contact Katie.Thomason@orlando.org<\/a><\/p>\n

ICYMI<\/p>\n

Florida Homestead Tax Vote Could Affect 60% of Homeowners<\/a> \u2013 Realtor.com<\/p>\n

Amendment 3 support insufficient among informed voters, AIF-commissioned poll finds<\/a> \u2013 Florida Politics<\/p>\n

Full Sail University named to Billboard Magazine\u2019s 2026 Top Music Business Schools list<\/a> \u2013 Full Sail University<\/p>\n

Florida Poly ranks No. 4 nationally for career outcomes<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Florida Polytechnic University<\/p>\n

SunRail\u2019s free Train-To-The-Game service for Magic fans returns Oct. 13<\/a> \u2013 Orlando Shine<\/p>\n

Orlando submits bid to host major global soccer tournament<\/a> \u2013 Orlando Business Journal<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Welcome to this week\u2019s\u00a0Regional Perspective,\u00a0where I share stories that bring the\u00a0Orlando 2045 Vision to life and highlight the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":432303,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[139,141,140],"class_list":["post-432302","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-orlando","tag-orlando","tag-orlando-headlines","tag-orlando-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/432302","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=432302"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/432302\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/432303"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=432302"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=432302"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=432302"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}