In an interview with Invest:, Betsy Gardner, president and CEO of the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, discussed the organization’s transition to a solutions-focused approach, addressing key regional issues like housing, transportation, and economic development.
What have been the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce’s key contributions to the Greater Orlando area in the past year?
We have transitioned into a solutions-focused organization, concentrating on regional issues through data analysis. We’re also developing models to proactively address future challenges. Our efforts in housing, parking policy, and promoting the one-cent sales tax referendum for transportation are some examples of our work.
Where do you see the greatest opportunities for economic development in the area?
The influx of people moving here presents significant opportunities, but it’s also our biggest
challenge. We’re facing a housing shortage for this growing population. Additionally, our roads are overburdened, and we lack sufficient public transportation options like a robust bus fleet or a proper rail system. This impacts job accessibility, as many people are unable to commute to work to affordably live nearby.
What makes the region an ideal location for business expansion or relocation?
The area has a pro-business political environment and benefits from Florida’s low tax burden. We also have a quality airport. Specifically, in Winter Park, our educated workforce is a significant advantage.
Considering the growth happening across Greater Orlando, how do you see the local market evolving?
The local market should aim to diversify its economy, reducing its heavy reliance on tourism. I hope to see more investments in technology and information economy jobs. This diversification would help protect us against future crises like pandemics that particularly threaten our tourism-centric economy.
What is the advocacy agenda for the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce?
Our primary focus is addressing the issue of housing affordability in Winter Park. The average cost of a single-family home here is now $1,000,000, which has increased by 30% in the last two years with no sign of slowing down. We currently have around 2,000 open jobs across seven industries. This is partly because people either need help to afford to live here or face challenges in commuting due to inadequate public transit.
The Winter Park Prosperity Scorecard data guides our advocacy efforts, identifying key areas needing attention. A central area we’re addressing immediately is our outdated and excessive parking policy, which hinders private-sector solutions to housing issues. We’re focusing on land use, housing, and parking at the municipal level. Last year, we invited Henry Grabar, a Harvard University fellow and leading thinker on parking policy, to discuss how better parking policy can aid our housing challenges.
At the state level, we’re advocating for arts funding. We support matching grants for arts organizations, which have shown significant economic returns. For instance, last year, $580,000 in grants for Winter Park resulted in a $5,000,000 economic impact through increased activity in our restaurants, retail spaces, and hotels, benefiting the arts organizations as well.
How would you describe the area’s progress in workforce development, especially in meeting the demands of new businesses?
Our region is well-equipped for workforce development thanks to our strong educational
partnerships. Institutions like Seminole State, Valencia, Orange Technical College, UCF, Rollins, Full Sail University, and others are doing an incredible job training individuals to meet the needs in healthcare, technology, and other economic sectors. These efforts address both current and future workforce demands.
However, we’re facing a challenge where our growth is outpacing our population. There simply aren’t enough people to fill the burgeoning number of job openings. This issue is compounded by the distance many potential employees live from Winter Park. For example, a person might choose to work at a hospital in Kissimmee with a 15-minute bus commute over a four-hour commute to a Winter Park hospital. This highlights the need for improved infrastructure, like transportation and housing, to attract and retain talent effectively.
Despite these challenges, Winter Park boasts an exceptionally well-trained workforce, largely due to the contributions of our educational partners. We are focused on developing strategies to competitively capture talent, factoring in infrastructure improvements, and leveraging our ready workforce.
Looking towards future growth and economic development, which business sectors do you expect to see expand in Greater Orlando?
The tech sector is poised for growth, particularly with continued investments in the simulation economy. Healthcare and related industries are also expected to see significant investments. Additionally, we anticipate an expansion in higher education systems and sustained success in the real estate sector.
How has the role of chambers of commerce evolved, and what does it mean to be a chamber of the future?
Chambers of commerce have transformed from being primarily connectors and social clubs to taking on more active leadership roles. The future of chambers lies in using data to drive change, creating advocacy platforms for members, and providing unique services that businesses can’t find elsewhere. They need to be solution-focused, anticipating future needs and connecting members and communities with relevant solutions.
How have your programs and initiatives helped connect businesses with local colleges and universities?
We have established internship partnerships with various institutions, focusing particularly on teacher training programs. A key strategic partner is the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins. Our talent program, launched in 2017 and named “Relaunch Career Reentry for Professional Women,” has gained international and national recognition. This program effectively aids highly talented and accomplished women in returning to the workforce after a break for family caregiving. It’s been especially successful in Winter Park due to the high level of personalized support provided. Participants typically come from prestigious educational
backgrounds and have a history of success. The program primarily helps these women regain confidence and provides them with the necessary tools to reenter the job market successfully. We’ve seen participants secure jobs in diverse fields such as accounting, law, IT, project management, and marketing.
What should investors consider about the region when building relationships within the community?
While the numbers reflect potential, the key is getting the right people in the right roles. This involves ensuring the workforce is adequately trained and equipped to meet workplace demands. It’s also important that they live within a reasonable distance of their workplaces. Crucially, having the right soft skills to thrive in the new information-based economy is vital. This combination of training, location, and soft skills is essential for successful integration into our community and economy.
Can you elaborate on the importance of soft skills in the workforce?
Our employers frequently cite a lack of soft skills as a major challenge, both in their current employees and potential hires. With 1.5 candidates for every available job in Central Florida, there’s a clear shortage of applicants. However, the issue extends beyond numbers; there’s a notable deficit in soft skills like prioritizing, empathizing with customers, effective listening, problem-solving, resource management, and collaboration. This shortfall is partly due to people spending more time behind screens, leading to a significant lack of these essential skills.
Interestingly, women in their late 40s and 50s, often returning to work after a break, possess these skills in abundance, honed through years of managing households and caring for families. They present a valuable talent pool rich in soft skills at a time when such abilities are desperately needed. Soft skills can amplify an organization’s potential, enabling scaling and more efficient collaboration. This aspect has been overlooked in recent years, with a greater focus on technical skills. But technology isn’t as effective without the human element – the soft skills.
What is the near-term outlook for the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, and what are your top priorities?
Our top priority is to build a sustainable and inclusive prosperity model for our community. Historically, Winter Park has catered to a specific demographic, but we’re now focusing on creating opportunities for diverse groups. This includes people from various backgrounds, whether born in the U.S. or elsewhere and who consider the environment to be a stakeholder in our models. We aim to create engagement models that not only consider the environmental impact but also explore ways for people to profit from being responsible stewards of our resources. Our goal is to foster a community where unlimited potential is accessible to everyone, equipped with the necessary tools and resources through the chamber’s efforts.
