Thirteen years ago, when I took office, our community joined together to create a shared vision to shape Orlando into a place that is truly by everyone and for everyone.
To achieve this, we made strategic investments, and today we are a city where everyone wants to live. Orlando is the fastest growing major city in America. It’s an exciting time to live in Orlando and see our hard work paying off.
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Building on this foundation, in the century ahead, Orlando will become America’s new home for innovation, transportation, opportunity, inclusiveness and quality of life.
On April 5, I delivered my State of the City address, highlighting four key initiatives that will make Orlando the defining city of the 21st Century by becoming, The City Connected.
Connected to Opportunity
To create the economy that defines the century ahead and provides unparalleled prosperity for our residents, we must become America’s new home for opportunity, education and innovation. To accomplish this, we must create a ladder to the middle class and beyond for every single person who calls our city home. To enrich our youth, we are focused on delivering STEM education and mentoring through our After-School All-Stars and Parramore Kidz Zone initiatives.
Connected to Each Other
To become America’s 21st Century city, a city by and for everyone, we must also become America’s new home for inclusiveness. That means seizing the momentum we’ve generated in reducing homelessness and doing even more. While we remain focused on housing our veterans, families and the chronically homeless, we are studying how to take homeless youth off the streets.
Connected to Housing Options
Serving our residents means providing access to quality, safe and affordable housing. The City has partnered with non-profits, businesses and private developers to construct five new affordable housing developments.
Connected to Your Government and Superior City Services
To own the 21st century, Orlando must become America’s home for a new class of modern, data-driven, cost-effective City services. Later this month, the Orlando Police Department will lead a national discussion at the White House showcasing how data can be used to prevent domestic violence and sexual assault.
Through our community’s proven model of partnership, we have accomplished so much together. But there is more we can do. Connected together, we can confidently proclaim that Orlando is going to lead America through the 21st Century.
Thank you for entrusting me with the best job in the world.
– Buddy Dyer, Mayor
