AboutUS By Hotspotorlando #24 | Page 16

Throughout the years, our Central Florida region has joined together in historic partnerships to not only create, but to accomplish a shared vision for the future of our community. From the development of our Medical City at Lake Nona, to our worldclass community venues, to SunRail, our regional leaders' willingness to work together has resulted in several milestone accomplishments for Orlando in a short period of time. lando have the resources they need to draw for their continued partnership. The renew events and grow the number of international visitors to our community. We have already seen the caliber of events we can attract to Orlando with the Amway Center including the NBA All-Star Game, World Championship Boxing and NCAA Basketball Tournaments. With a new performing arts center, enhanced Citrus Bowl and soccer-specific stadium, we have the ability to host hundreds of more events Last night, we celebrated another mile- and attract millions of additional visitors stone for our community as the Orange to our region each year. County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a funding package to allow for the The visitors who attend these events spend construction of a new Downtown Orlando money at our local businesses which soccer stadium, a vital step in bringing Ma- equates to new jobs and opportunities for jor League Soccer (MLS) to everyone in Orlando and Orlando and the first MLS generates sales tax revenues team in the southeast. The that have benefits across the package also provides adentire state of Florida. In ditional funding for the addition, many of the busiOrange County Convennesses who call Orlando tion Center, Florida Cithome tell us that one of the rus Bowl, the Dr. Phillips top reasons for choosing Center for the Performing Central Florida is our high Arts, Visit Orlando and quality of life and amenities the Central Florida Sports like our hometown sports Commission. teams, community venues and the soonto-open SunRail. Approval of this funding package will I would like to thank Mayor Jacobs and the greatly benefit our region in several ways, Orange County Board of Commissioners including new business opportunities for our local companies, new jobs for our residents and by bringing even more visitors to our region. The hospitality industry remains the backbone of our economy and increasing domestic and international travel is critical to ensuring the economic growth of Central Florida. Through the ownership of Orlando City Soccer, we have a unique opportunity to bring a world of soccer fans and their economic impact to Central Florida's front door. The approved funding package also ensures that the Central Florida Sports Commission and Visit Or- About The MLS sults of our partnership will provide benefits for our local community for generations to come. I would also like to thank th ?)=?????? ???? ???????M???????? ????) ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????)?????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????)???????????????)M????????) ???????)5????)A???? ??=????? ????((0