National Center for Simulation Logo

 

Protecting the MS&T Industry in Central Florida takes center stage at Central Florida Legislative Delegation Meeting

Region’s power players make pitch for state tax dollars

Posted: Dec 17, 2014 7:05 PM EST

http://www.myfoxorlando.com/story/27655497/regions-power-players-make-pi…

ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35 ORLANDO) -The Central Florida Partnership put together a meeting of the region’s power players. They were all there to speak to the biggest ever gathering of area legislators with almost every Florida House and Senate member in the nine-county area in attendance.

The forum allowed for the area’s top industries to let the lawmakers know what they feel should be funding priorities for the 2015 session. One of the biggest players at the table was retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Thomas Baptiste, the CEO of the National Center for Simulation. He had a warning for the group.

“The risk is that the team Orlando workforce has out grown the infrastructure,” he said.

With 61 thousand people working in the simulation industry, Baptiste is worried the federal government will shut down all of Orlando’s training through its Base Realignment and Closure Committee.

“I’m going to tell you today, there will be another round of BRAC [Base Realignment and Closure].  As the other services get smaller, there are empty federal buildings all over this nation that could house pieces and parts of Team Orlando, and undermine the fabric that drives this $5 billion industry.”

The industry believes the answer is to use tax dollars to purchase buildings, so that they no longer have to be leased, saving the federal government money. With the recent successes of NASA, Space Florida CEO Frank DiBello told the legislators more money is needed because other states are coming after our launch business.

“Next year, we are scheduled to launch 25 vehicles from the Cape. We continue to dominate this sector of the industry, but our legacy is not a guarantee for the future. There is significant competition out there.”

Port Canaveral CEO John Walsh says they have big expansion plans as well. In addition to the millions that has already been put out for expansions and dredging, Walsh says they will need seed money for economic development.

“To remain competitive in the global marketplace we must make sure our team, our economic team, our economic development agencies have the right tools in their tool boxes, to not only be competitive, but to excel.”

The biggest request will come from the University of Central Florida and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. Both want a new campus in downtown Orlando. Dyer was sold when the pair went to Phoenix together and saw how Arizona State affected that downtown.

“I agree with Dr. Hitt. That would be fantastic if we could do something like that in Downtown Orlando,” said Mayor Dyer,  “to have our great university — which is the second-largest in the country — with a substantial game changing presence in Downtown Orlando.”

The city is giving UCF the land inside it’s dream of a technology hub called the Creative Village, the site of the old Amway Arena. Dyer says it is an ideal spot for UCF.

“Just as Creative Village provides a perfect modern learning laboratory for UCF, they bring not only their technology sector downtown, but business and government programs would be very close to the professionals who work in those areas,” Dyer added.

Building a campus there will be a 6 to 8 year commitment that will top $200 million. Dyer says the recession is over and it is time for the Florida Legislature to get excited about the idea.

“The next steps are developing details on the buildings, the student housing, the parking, and the other campus life services. We can’t do this without the committed partnerships that we have become used to doing here in central Florida and that includes the State Legislature.”

This year alone, UCF will ask for $57.8 million to get the campus started.