ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Located just 20 miles north of Orlando in south-central Seminole County, Winter Springs has a growing economy, a professional workforce, and offers an excellent living environment.
The City is a sought after location for families and young professionals with exceptional schools, nationally recognized parks and trail system, low crime rates, and beautifully landscaped streets. It has easy vehicular access to State Road 417 (Seminole Expressway/Central Florida Greeneway) with linkage to area airports, University of Central Florida, Lake Nona Medical Center and the greater Orlando metro area all within a 30 minute drive.
While the current economic downturn has affected the growth within the Town Center, recent trends and inquiries indicate a renewed interest in the Town Center. At build-out, the Town Center is planned to include 800,000 SF retail; 600,000 SF office; 700 hotel units; and 4000 residential units. The total anticipated investment is $700-800 million. Of the total acreage, 41% is currently developed, 15% is in review, with the remaining 44% (approximately 150 acres) available for development.
SeminoleWAY is a planned high-tech corridor along State Road 417. The Greeneway Interchange District located just east of the Town Center, at the juncture of State Road 417 and State Road 434 is within the SeminoleWAY corridor. The Greeneway Interchange District is expected to become a premier employment center with professional and high tech office buildings, conference facility and hotel. Close to 200 acres of developable land is available.
Today Winter Springs covers 9470 acres, an area of 14.8 square miles. Of the City's total land area, only 8.8% remains vacant and developable. Areas with the largest consolidation of vacant developable parecels are the Greeneway Interchange District (within SeminoleWAY) and the Town Center District.
Winter Springs' estimated population in 2009 was 34,444. However, the City draws from a larger area population of 162,168 within a 5-mile radius, and 535,591 within a 10-mile radius. The median age in Winter Springs is 40.8; Average household income is $79,990; 69% of housing units are owner-occupied; and 66.8% of the population has some college or degree (associates, bachelors, graduate). [source- SCR, LLC, 2009]
Winter Springs is a progressive community that offers many opportunities for businesses. We welcome your inquiries and look forward to working with you.
For more information about doing business in Winter Springs, please contact:
Randy Stevenson, Community Development Director
John Jones, Land Design Innovations
Tracy Turk, Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission
Seminole County Office
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES
The Board of County Commissioners has established a Jobs Growth Incentive (JGI) Trust Fund for both new and existing companies. Incentive dollars are available from Seminole County for job training, relocation expenses and development costs for companies that satisfy selected job creation advantage criteria. Preference is given to new construction and to companies locating in targeted areas within the County.
Various areas within Winter Springs are designated as SEED areas for the purpose of environmental remediation, rehabilitation and economic redevelopment, as allowed under Sections 376.77-376.85, Florida Statutes.
The U.S. 17-92 Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) was established in 1997 and its mission is "to realize the full economic and functional potential of the U.S. 17-92 corridor through strategic and timely invetstments that enhance the competitiveness and desirability of the corridor for the business community and the public at large.
Winter Springs provides an array of incentives designed to encourage quality investment in the Town Center and Greeneway Interchange Districts. Notable is the continued involvement and financial commitment of the City through public-private partnerships aimed at the successful implementation of the City's vision.
University of Central Florida Business Incubator Program- Winter Springs is home to one of eight UCF Incubator locations in the greater Orlando area. The incubator is a partnership between UCF, Seminole County Government, the City of Winter Springs and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. The modern facility, conveniently located in the Vistawilla Office Center building on E. State Road 434 at the State Road 417 on/off ramp, features 10,000 SF of space, and includes flexible office space, a conference/training room, boardroom, mini-conference rooms, a cafe and networking areas, metro-Ethernet fiber connectivity, a reception area, and some office equipment.
Business incubation is a critical element of regional economic development strategy. Studies show that 95% of companies stay in the community where they are established. Incubator support greatly reduces the risk of failure and 87-91% of companies that graduate from an incubator program are still business 5 years later. New companies get low rent and expert advice from professionals, who either volunteer their time or offer their services at lower rates. This ongoing mentoring has resulted in the UCF Incubator Program having a 100% success rate to date. The Incubator is located at: 1511 E. State Road 434, Suite 2001; Winter Springs, Florida 32708; (407) 278-4880.
For more information about Economic Development Incentives, please contact:
John G. Metsopoulos, U.S. 17-92 CRA Program Manager
HIGHLIGHTS
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#1 Best City in the United States in which to purchase a home(2006), MSN Advisory Services
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2nd Best City in Florida and the 31st Best City in the U.S. to live (2007), Money Magazine
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Ample Water and Sewer Capacity
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Outstanding Public Schools including Winter Springs High School
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Easy Access to University of Central Florida (UCF)
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Award Winning Ball Fields and Parks (Central Winds Park)
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Regional Trail System (Cross Seminole Trail)
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Recently Completed Senior Center Expansion and Indoor Therapy Pool
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Beautifully Landscaped Street Corridors and new Veterans Memorial
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Outstanding Community Events Throughout the Year
For more information about Winter Springs, please contact:
Randy Stevenson, Community Development Director
John Jones, Senior Planner
Land Design Innovations
USEFUL LINKS