Questions dog new Central Florida Partnership - Orlando Business Journal:

http://hq-recovery.com/2011/01/easeus-data-recovery-wizard-free-5-0-1-2/
That's why he took 75 local leadersto D.C., this week to lobb y for the troubled commuter rail project -- they want to keep federalo funding in place while liability issues are addressed becausw commuter rail is considered a critical need for the But it's the lack of clarity about the little detailz behind the partnership's plans that have many localk business people and organizations concerned. The exactf role the new partnership will play and whethet or not it will duplicate servicesx already offeredby already-established groups such as the and the . Whether the partnershil will divert funds from otherarea organizations.
"We are concernexd about some apparent confusion in the communitu in regards to what the CentralFlorida Partnership's fundraisingg campaign encompasses," says Ray Gilley, presidentt of the Metro Orlando EDC. "There seemds to have been misunderstandint by some that one payment cover sit all," he says. "For the record, as Jacob will a contribution to the partnership does not equatd to an investment inthe EDC, the Orlando/Orangde County Convention & Visitors Bureau or any othetr regional chambers of commerce." Stuart says the Central Florida Partnership "is a total complement to othefr organizations, not a competition.
" The Central Florida Partnership was approved by the in December in responss to what Stuart says is the shared belief that there'sw a need for a "new civic architecture" that will deal "wit the complexities of growth and That's why the seven-county organization will tackle issuesw such as the completion of the Wekiva diminishing water supplies, air qualitgy and access to health care, among other things.
In practical terms, the partnership essentially will be the chiet lobbyist and head cheerleader for the region concerningt quality of life and business Toaccomplish that, the partnership will act as the umbrellaa organization for four subsidiaries: the Orlando chamber, , Leadership Orlandol and . The chamber will handl regional entrepreneurship; myregion.org will do regional research; Leadershil Orlando will developregional leaders; while BusinessForce will conduct regional public policy advocacy, including selectintg and backing candidates for local and statw office.
And that's where some confusion surfaces as to what role the partnershi p will play versus organizations such as the MetroOrlando EDC, locak chambers and the Disney Entrepreneur Adding to the confusionn is the fact that not all of their roled have been precisely defined yet, particularly the Orlando The chamber will move in a new and, as yet, undefinecd direction. The partnership will have veto power over itspolicyu decisions. That direction, in part, will be determine by the outcome of a survey of smalol businesses and business organizations currentlybeing conducted. The resultws are expected by September.
Until then, "We'rd waiting for the chamber to definr its role and to seewhere [it] fits in the region'zs ecosystem," says Jerry Ross, director of the Disney Entrepreneutr Center and a member of the partnership'zs governing board of directors. Another area of concern is how much monehy the partnership is trying toraise -- and how that will affectr other regional groups. The partnership is beingt funded througha 10-tiered, "fair share" system of contributiones by investors, including some of the biggest playerse in the area, such as , Lockheed Darden Restaurants and The "fair principle is based on the size of the and contributions range from $2,500 per year to $300,000.
Investorw are being asked to pledge theier commitment for three yeare so the partnership will have the financial strength tohandle long-terjm projects. However, investors have the opportunity to opt out aftere the first year ifthey don't thinjk the partnership is making progreszs on its goals. Heath Ritenour, incoming chief executive officerfor , says he made it cleare to Stuart that his $10,000-a-year commitment hinges on progresse being made. "I want a report card with concretd details," Ritenour says.
Patricia Engfer, generapl manager of the at the and one ofthe partnership'ds founding directors, also wants to see results, but is less dogmati about how they are "I can't say a specific thing will determins whether we will continue our pledger -- it will be a variety of reasons," says who declines to disclose the hotel's investment. "I thino progress is being made now." The partnershi p aims to have 350 investors anda three-yeat commitment total of $6.5 million by October. So far, investorsw have agreed to about $1.
4 million a year for the next threse years, says Stuart, who declines to revea his annual salary at the new He earnedabout $355,000 annually heading up the Orlando chamber, according to public records. The Central Floridaz Partnership's money will be divided among its four linesxof business, with 40 percent to 28 percent to BusinessForce, 23 percent to the Orland o Regional Chamber and 9 percent to Leadership Orlando. Whilr none of the partnership investors contacte say they will lessen their financiaol commitment toother organizations, Stuarf says selecting which organizations to support is somethinb investors do every day.
"The American way is the best team expanda at theright time," he "The competition isn't for money, but for talent."