Bryan Nipe, Director, Economic Development & Parks and Recreation, City of Lake Mary

April 2026 — With companies choosing Lake Mary over a competitive field, Director of Economic Development and Parks and Recreation Bryan Nipe shared with Invest: how the city’s strategic location makes it a hub for corporate, technology, and healthcare investment. “That connectivity combined with our quality of life continues to attract both companies and families looking to invest in Central Florida,” said Nipe.

How would you characterize the past year for the City of Lake Mary, and how does that reflect the broader momentum we are seeing across Seminole County? 

First, thank you for highlighting Lake Mary and the broader Seminole County community in Invest. Over the past year, we have been encouraged to see many of our corporate headquarters return to full in-person operations, with parking lots once again reflecting a strong workforce presence. This renewed activity is a positive indicator of business confidence and economic momentum across the region.

We are also seeing continued demand within our high-tech medical corridor, where previously vacant lease spaces are being absorbed and new tenants are locating in Lake Mary. In addition, the city is experiencing new construction in medical office and healthcare-related facilities, driven in part by the continued expansion of our regional healthcare partners with a significant footprint in Lake Mary, including Orlando Health and AdventHealth.

These trends reinforce Lake Mary’s position as a strategic hub for corporate, technology, and healthcare investment within Seminole County and Central Florida.

How important is Lake Mary’s location within Seminole County in attracting both employers and residents?

Lake Mary’s location within Seminole County is a major driver of our success. We sit in the heart of the I-4 corridor intersecting with the Wekiva Parkway/417 with access to a highly skilled workforce, major employers, and world-class healthcare partners. That connectivity combined with our quality of life continues to attract both companies and families looking to invest in Central Florida.

With continued population growth across Central Florida, how are business attraction and quality-of-life investments working together to support sustainable growth in Lake Mary?

As our City grows from private investment, we too are investing in infrastructure to support this growth now and in the future. This includes not only transportation, but enhanced trails, new parks and beautification of our downtown.

Downtown Lake Mary has recently undergone streetscape improvements, parking enhancements, and new recreational amenities such as pickleball courts. How do these investments strengthen the city’s appeal to both residents and businesses?

With a renewed focus on Downtown District over the past five years, we have worked to create a true sense of place where people gather for events, shop, dine, and enjoy a vibrant, walkable, family-friendly environment. This growing downtown energy complements areas such as International Parkway/Uptown District, which already offer well-established, high-end corporate and hospitality experiences. Together, these districts strengthen Lake Mary’s overall appeal for both residents and businesses.

What trends are you seeing in corporate relocation, healthcare expansion, and professional services growth within Lake Mary’s business community?

Healthcare continues to be the most prominent area of industry expansion in Lake Mary, but we are also seeing growth across several other sectors. For example, Snedaker Law, a long-standing firm in our Downtown District, recently relocated their practice while remaining in Lake Mary by investing in a new standalone building. Another strong example is Terracon Engineering, which employs hundreds of professionals and will be relocating its operations from Winter Park to Lake Mary once new flex-space buildings in the high-tech medical corridor along Rinehart Road are completed by local developer Chesterfield. These types of investments demonstrate the continued confidence businesses have in Lake Mary as a place to grow and invest.

How does healthcare development contribute to Lake Mary’s long-term economic strategy?

Absolutely! So much so, nearly two miles along Rinehart Road is almost completely dedicated to the industry and is positively affecting a wide radius of growth in the surrounding community.

Looking ahead, how do you see Lake Mary contributing to Seminole County’s economic leadership within Greater Orlando over the next three to five years?

As medical office development continues to expand, we anticipate renewed interest in Lake Mary’s manufacturing sector, particularly in areas such as technology, aerospace, energy, and medical technologies. Combined with continued interest from companies considering corporate relocation, these trends position Lake Mary for strong economic momentum in the years ahead.

Lake Mary is proud to play a leadership role in economic development across Central Florida. By working collaboratively with our partners at Seminole County and the Orlando Economic Partnership, we believe the future remains very bright for our community and the region.

Want more? Read the Invest: Greater Orlando report.