The Orlando region’s economic and community development organization celebrates 200+ business relocations or expansions committed to creating more than 30,000 new jobs in the eight years since its inception.
Orlando, Fla. – In honor of 2025 Economic Development Week, May 11-17, the Orlando Economic Partnership (OEP) celebrates 200+business relocations or expansions committed to creating more than 30,000 new jobs, or approximately 3,600 new jobs per year in the eight years since the economic and community development nonprofit’s inception.
The total of new jobs created during the period, which spans three Presidential Elections and a global pandemic, bring with them capital investment exceeding $3.5 billion and new annual payroll of close to $2 billion. This capital is now circulating through the Orlando region’s economy—dollars that might have otherwise gone elsewhere—while also generating approximately $23 million in new annual tax revenue for the Orlando Economic Partnership’s four government partners.
Growth of this magnitude could not be achieved without the support and collaboration from innovative companies and visionary local community, government, and elected officials who understand a diverse regional economy is crucial to advancing Broad-based Prosperity® and becoming a global creative capital.
Tim Giuliani,
Orlando Economic Partnership President & CEO
“We thank all Orlando leaders for their support of economic development as well as their vision and dedication to transforming our region into a world-class hub for education, business, and entertainment.”
Orange County Government officially proclaimed May 11–17, 2025, as Economic Development Week, recognizing the vital role of economic development in driving job creation, business growth, and quality of life in the region. During the proclamation ceremony, the Board of County Commissioners welcomed Tim Giuliani, President & CEO of the Orlando Economic Partnership, who underscored the collaborative nature of the work, calling economic development “a team sport.”
Giuliani also highlighted the Orlando region’s status as a national leader among large metros, a rare “triple crown” of economic achievement—ranking No. 1 in the nation among major metro areas for job growth, population growth, and GDP growth.
Driven by 37,500 new jobs, an influx of 76,000 new residents, and a surge in economic output throughout 2024, the region has demonstrated exceptional resilience and momentum. These accomplishments underscore Orlando’s rise as a national economic powerhouse and highlight its potential to lead the country in innovation, opportunity, and inclusive development for years to come.
In touting this economic impact as well as highlighting the importance of economic development in shaping our region’s future, the OEP joins communities across the nation in celebration of 2025 Economic Development Week, a global initiative led by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).
“The future of economic development is centered around collaboration and partnerships,” said IEDC president and CEO Nathan Ohle.
Economic Development Week is an opportunity to celebrate and lift up the stories of economic development happening throughout the world. At the heart of this year’s Economic Development Week are stories of collaboration and partnership, and how the field of economic development works together to support, cultivate, and drive economic prosperity for place of all sizes, in every region in the world.
Nathan Ohle, IEDC president and CEO
The IEDC created Economic Development Week in 2016 to recognize the work that EDOs and professionals do in their communities. IEDC celebrates Economic Development Week every year, highlighting the programs, best practices, and exceptional individuals that positively impact life in their communities. In just a few years the event has become one of the most widely recognized awareness weeks of its kind validating the—often unheralded—work of the economic development profession.
Throughout this Economic Development Week, the OEP will showcase testimonials from Orlando business leaders, investors, and other professional economic developers who share the importance of economic growth and how Orlando creates value for businesses across sectors. The Partnership will also celebrate the impact of economic development on billboards posted around the region and advertisements in local publications.
Additionally, members of OEP leadership will continue collaborative engagement with local elected officials to highlight economic progress and potential in their districts.
For additional information about OEP’s eight-year economic impact or celebration of 2025 Economic Development Week, please contact Jennifer Marcial Ocasio, OEP Director of Communications. jennifer.marcial@orlando.org.
About Economic Development Week
IEDC created Economic Development Week in 2016 to recognize the work that EDOs and economic developers do in their communities. IEDC celebrates Economic Development Week every year, highlighting the programs, best practices, and exceptional individuals that positively impact life in their communities. In just a few years, the event has become one of the most widely recognized awareness weeks of its kind validating the, often unheralded, work of the economic development profession. Learn more about Economic Development Week at iedconline.org/ EDW.
About the Orlando Economic Partnership
The Orlando Economic Partnership (the OEP) is an economic and community development organization that works to advance Broad-based Prosperity®. Through the power of partnerships, we grow the economy, attract companies that create new jobs, drive investment, improve competitiveness and fuel regional leadership. Learn why opportunity in Orlando is Unbelievably Real™ at InvestOrlando.org.
About the International Economic Development Council (IEDC)
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization serving economic developers. With thousands of members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers typically work for cities, counties, states, public-private partnerships, and chambers of commerce to promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding high-quality jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth, and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members are engaged in the full range of economic development work to develop vibrant communities.