Welcome to this week’s Regional Perspective, where I share stories that bring the Orlando 2045 Vision to life and highlight the progress shaping our region’s future. 

Before you get to the region’s news, I want to take a moment to reflect on the day that changed every American’s life 25 years ago. On September 11, 2001, our nation experienced unimaginable tragedy, but we also witnessed extraordinary courage, resilience, and unity. We remember the lives lost, honor the first responders and service members who answered the call, and recognize the countless families and communities forever impacted by that day.

1) Worth AI expands Orlando’s fintech footprint – The continued growth of Worth AI is another strong signal that the Orlando region is building momentum as a hub for technology-driven innovation. The Winter Park-based fintech company is adding 30 high-impact jobs with average annual salaries of $190,000 following a $30 million Series A funding round. Through its AI-powered platform and recently launched Decision Intelligence solution, Worth AI is helping financial institutions make faster and more informed decisions for small business customers. OEP was proud to assist the company in its expansion, reinforcing our efforts to help high-growth companies scale and succeed in Central Florida. Read more.

2) Strengthening global connections at SEMICON Taiwan – OEP, in collaboration with Osceola County, NSF’s Florida Semiconductor Engine, and SelectFlorida, recently completed a successful international business mission to SEMICON Taiwan, one of the world’s premier semiconductor industry events. The conference brings together leading companies involved in semiconductor manufacturing, advanced packaging, microelectronics, and supply chain technologies, making it a critical venue for relationship building and industry engagement. During the mission, OEP Director of Economic Development Derek Ephrem met directly with companies and industry leaders to showcase the Orlando region’s growing semiconductor ecosystem and explore future investment and partnership opportunities. As semiconductor demand continues to grow globally, maintaining a strong presence at events like SEMICON Taiwan helps position our region to compete for new business, talent, and investment. 

3) UCF and SpaceWERX advance Orlando’s innovation future – The partnership between UCF and SpaceWERX marks an exciting milestone with the establishment of SpaceWERX’s East Coast campus in Central Florida.As the innovation arm of the United States Space Force, SpaceWERX helps connect startups, entrepreneurs, and emerging technology companies with national security and defense opportunities, while UCF continues to strengthen its position as America’s Space University through cutting-edge research, talent development, and industry collaboration. Together, this partnership reinforces key priorities outlined in the Orlando 2045 Vision by supporting innovation, accelerating commercialization, and strengthening one of the region’s most important industry clusters: aerospace and defense. 

4) The City Playbook explores the future of education – What could the future of public education look like when schools, neighborhoods, and community partners work toward a shared vision? In the latest episode of The City Playbook, Eddy Moratin, president of Lift Orlando, and Dr. Maria Vazquez, superintendent of Orange County Public Schools, discuss the transformation underway in Orlando’s West Lakes community and the creation of Orange Center STEAM Academy. The conversation highlights how education, neighborhood revitalization, economic mobility, and public-private partnerships can intersect to create meaningful and lasting change. Part 1 is available now, with Part 2 coming soon.

5) Understanding Amendment 3: Join the conversation – Property taxes affect every resident, business, and community in our region, making the proposed constitutional amendment on Florida’s November 2026 ballot an important issue for voters to understand. I encourage you to join us for the next Policy in Progress Series – On The Ballot: Property Tax Reform on October 2 at the Mayor William Beardall Senior Center, where attendees will hear from keynote speaker Jeff Brandes, president of the Florida Policy Project, along with an expert panel featuring Eric Grimmer, Sheriff John W. Mina, and Katrina Scarborough. This discussion will explore the potential impacts of Amendment 3 from multiple perspectives and provide valuable insights to help our community make informed decisions before heading to the ballot box. Registration is now open, and I hope you’ll join us for this timely conversation.

6) Orlando’s economic momentum continues – The Orlando region’s continued economic momentum was the focus of an article in the 4th Edition of Invest: Greater Orlando. Our ability to outperform state and national growth trends, the continued expansion of technology and healthcare employment, and the success of major innovation initiatives such as NeoCity’s semiconductor cluster underscored Orlando’s evolution into a more diversified economy powered by advanced manufacturing, defense, simulation, aerospace, and technology, while maintaining the entrepreneurial energy that continues to attract talent and investment from around the world. My full interview can be found here. Read the full article.

Programs & Events

2026 Orlando Tech Grant – Deadline Extended // Applications due Sept. 15 // LEARN MORE & APPLY

Take the Q3 2026 Orlando MSA Business Conditions Survey, powered by OUC – The Reliable One.

Leadership Orlando Alumni Association – Stay connected, continue leading, and help shape what’s next for our region // LEARN MORE & JOIN

Policy in Progress Series – On The Ballot: Property Tax Reform // Oct. 2 // LEARN MORE & REGISTER

ICYMI

Explore the full schedule for Downtown Employee Appreciation Week – Downtown Orlando Partnership

Tampa Bay Chamber Opposes Amendment 3 as Approach to Property Tax Reform – Tampa Bay Chamber

Frontier Airlines to launch first South American routes from Orlando – Orlando Business Journal

Full Sail University named to MovieMaker Magazine’s prestigious 2026 list of “The 30 Best Film Schools in the U.S. and Canada” – Full Sail

AdventHealth opens $365M in hospital expansions across Central Florida – Orlando Business Journal

Beep closes $20M series B round led by public company – Orlando Business Journal

Silicon Valley’s big money is about to get a lot bigger – New York Times

Orlando’s office market is recovering six years after COVID – Growthspotter

About the Author

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By Tim Giuliani President & CEO

Tim Giuliani is a national leader in growing cities that deliver economic growth. His approach is centered on the powerful concept that making investments to build a place where people want to live and visit will attract the companies where people want to work.  As President and CEO of the Orlando Economic Partnership, his leadership has helped attract over 30,000 new jobs, $3.6 billion in capital investment, and $3.3 billion in annual payroll. Tim’s collaborative work with elected, higher education, and private sector leaders led to the investment of $500 million in investment into the Florida semiconductor cluster. Giuliani's work to advance broad-based prosperity is focused on cultivating civic leadership and bringing those leaders together to align around the long-term opportunities and challenges that face metro communities.

More articles by Tim Giuliani