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What's New

Thank You Veterans Cruise

The Corporal Larry E. Smedley National Vietnam War Museum would like give the Central Florida community the opportunity to thank Central Florida veterans returning from their recent tour of duty in the Middle East by sponsoring a very memorable event - a three day cruise to the Bahamas. The Museum’s goal is to offer 500 free rooms to returning veterans and their spouse or special someone. For more information or to become a Program Supporter and/or Contributor visit thankyouveteranscruise.org.


On Monday, April 11, 2011 Brooke Bonnett, Director of Economic Development presented a workshop to the Orlando City Council entitled Strengthen Orlando Business Assistance Initiatives.

For more information on the Economic Development Department's Strengthen Orlando initiatives to support small business, view the presentation slides (pdf) or watch the workshop on YouTube.


Orlando Cares

In 2010 Orlando was the only Florida city awarded one of 20 Cities of Service Leadership Grants by the Rockefeller Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies, giving us grant funds to hire our City’s first Chief Service Officer to coordinate a community-engagement, collaborative process for developing a City-wide service plan, Orlando Cares.

On Thursday, March 31, 2011 Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer announced the six Orlando Cares volunteer-powered initiatives and his first book club selection. Be a part of the solution by signing up to volunteer through OrlandoCares.net.

Through ORLANDO CARES, we will engage volunteers in programs that help our youth improve their academic success, increase their literacy skills, plan viable career choices and avoid the juvenile justice system. In our plan, we have created volunteer opportunities that impact educational outcomes and contribute to the well-being of our community.

Explore OrlandoCares.net  to find your interest and sign up to become one of our valued volunteers. Together we will share our time, talents and energy to truly make Orlando a City of Service!


Prescription Drug Card
The City of Orlando and the National League of Cities offer a new discount prescription drug card for Orlando residents.


Economic Green Leaf Program

During these tough economic times, many local businesses have been challenged in terms of finance, growth and opportunity. A new statewide pilot program, the Economic Gardening Loan Program, is designed to provide the help that small businesses need to expand, creating jobs and opportunities for our residents.

Businesses with 10-50 employees and annual revenues of $1-25 million are invited to apply for this pilot loan program which offers eligible businesses the opportunity to receive a low interest loan of up to $250,000-and the applications are being administered right here in Orlando.

The Black Business Investment Fund of Orlando was recently selected to be the administrator of the State’s Economic Gardening Loan Program. Businesses do not need to be minority-owned to qualify. For more information, visit bbif.com or call 407.649.4780.


Get Your Buy Local Orlando Membership Card

Buy Local OrlandoThe Buy Local Orlando campaign is a pro-active and practical approach for connecting the businesses of Orlando with the buying power of the local community. Get your Buy Local Orlando card for FREE at participating merchants, City Hall, Downtown Orlando Information Center, the Disney Entrepreneur Center or by requesting one online at buylocalorlando.com.

By signing up for the Buy Local Orlando card, consumers pledge to support Orlando's local economy and will have access to the following benefits:

  • Searchable database of local merchants and businesses
  • Instant savings through merchant discounts or offers
  • Periodic emails informing of local events, new merchant members and special offers and discounts

When consumers choose to buy locally, those dollars are spent over and over again in the community. Local businesses drive our local economy by creating jobs and opportunities for our residents, circulating money, maintaining property values, generating tax revenue and strengthening our economy.

Visit BuyLocalOrlando.com for more information and to register your card.


Orlando BuildsTo create more opportunities for local contractors and infuse money into the economy, Mayor Dyer has expedited the bidding of construction projects. The following capital improvement projects are currently advertised on our web site. Visit cityoforlando.net/public_works/projects/proj_bid.html for more information on these projects:

  • Z.L. Riley Park Expansion Project
  • Eastern Regional Reclaimed Water Distribution System Phase II Transmission
  • Eastern Regional Reclaimed Water Distribution System - In-Line Booster Pump Station
  • SR 408/400 (1-4) Interchange Pond 6 Modification
  • Pinebluff Avenue Drainage Improvements

Orlando ConnectsOrlando Connects: The City is allocating Community Development Block Grant funding to HANDS to administer housing counseling services to Orlando households. These services include one-on-one counseling, pre and post purchase counseling and foreclosure counseling. In addition,  the City amended our Local Housing Assistance Plan to expand the number of agencies we partner with to offer additional foreclosure prevention support for our residents.