City of Orlando

We want to hear from you! Help us bring free or low-cost landscaping classes to Orlando by taking our short survey. We are conducting a survey to gauge interest in landscaping classes for residents, offered by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), which collaborates with the community to provide education on farming, natural resources, and Florida-Friendly Landscaping. These classes will teach you how to create a stunning, sustainable yard with the help of experts. Let us know if you're interested. The survey closes on August 30. ➡ https://lnkd.in/di9nY2f5

In partnership with the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority: Orlando International (MCO) and Executive (ORL) Airports we're proud to present Words & Wonders: Flight Edition—an exhibition celebrating the poetry of flight and travel. Curated by City of Orlando Poet Laureate Shawn Welcome, the exhibit showcases 12 original poems selected from over 150 community submissions. Don’t miss your chance to experience this unique exhibit before it takes off on September 2! Visit Level 3, Terminals A/B, Community Wall.

Every Day in Orlando is National Dog Day We're proud that Orlando is a welcoming community for every person... and their four-legged friends.

We're making significant strides in addressing some of Orlando's most pressing challenges, thanks to federal funding. Through the Accelerate Orlando initiative, we're channeling $58 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to combat homelessness, increase affordable housing, and close the digital access gap. Last week, the City Council approved crucial funding to renovate and expand the (Pathlight HOME) Pathways Drop-in Center, which offers vital services to our unsheltered community members. We also secured funding to continue the successful RUSH (Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing) program in partnership with the Christian Service Center for Central Florida. This program will move at least 20 individuals, focusing on families in the Parramore area, from the streets into permanent housing. In addition, we're bridging the digital divide by installing 12 more 'tables of connection'—small resilience hubs providing free Wi-Fi, shade, and backup power in neighborhoods with limited internet access. These initiatives underscore our commitment to building a more inclusive and supportive Orlando, tackling our toughest challenges head-on with the power of federal resources. Visit https://lnkd.in/eiEPNbjU to learn more.

Celebrating 5 Years of Sweet Success! We’re proud to celebrate the 5-year partnership between Black Bee Honey and Grand Bohemian Orlando. Founded in 2017 by students from Parramore Kidz Zone, this entrepreneurship program, operated by the Orlando Community and Youth Trust, is transforming communities like Parramore and Holden Heights from food deserts into thriving food sources. It’s more than just honey; it’s about empowering our youth. Our students are doing incredible work—harvesting, bottling, and selling honey locally, with proceeds funding scholarships that support their educational goals. Their hard work has also made the Black Bee Honey Cheesecake the #1 dessert at The Boheme since 2019. Now, you can taste the sweetness of their success—literally! Want to support these young entrepreneurs further?Visit blackbeehoneyhq.com to learn more and see how you can contribute to their mission.

40 Years of Advancing Minority and Women Business Success! Our Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MBE) Division team members play a key role in ensuring that Orlando is an inclusive, equitable community by expanding opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses to participate in the city’s procurement process. Last fiscal year, subcontractors were paid $17 million, while MWBE prime contractors received $12 million—a significant increase from previous years, illustrating the continued growth of companies participating in our program. This month, our MBE Division is celebrating four decades of serving our community's minority and woman-owned certified firms, a milestone truly worthy of celebration. The team includes Division Manager Janeiro R Coulter, who joined the city in 2007 as the BLUEPRINT Special Projects Manager. Under the leadership of Mayor Dyer and the Orlando City Council, Janeiro played a key role in creating the BLUEPRINT initiative, which provided subcontracting opportunities to certified Minority Women and Business Enterprises for projects like the Amway Center (now Kia Center), Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, and the Citrus Bowl (now Camping World Stadium). The BLUEPRINT initiative also provided Parramore residents with competitive wage jobs on these Orlando Venues projects. As we look ahead to more years of impact, we’re grateful to Janeiro and the entire MBE Division team for creating opportunities that help local businesses and residents thrive.

Exciting changes are coming to Downtown Orlando!

Lead strategic communications and media relations at Orlando Police Department. Apply today!

Rachel Kessler's Heroic Actions Save Family in Orlando Wetlands Last month, Orlando Wetlands Public Outreach Coordinator Rachel Kessler, received a call about an overheated infant and a mother with blood sugar problems who had hiked deep into the sprawling Orlando Wetlands. Rachel sprung into action, driving out into the wetlands to rescue the visitors. By the time Rachel got to the guests, the situation was getting critical. The mother was suffering from low blood sugar and heat stroke and was fading in and out of consciousness. Rachel alerted emergency personnel, drove the family to the Wetlands Education Center and then directed volunteers to help assist and monitor the mother while Rachel cared for the infant. Once EMS arrived, the mother and baby were transported to the hospital and were released later that day. The family was incredibly thankful for Rachel's quick thinking and actions, which greatly impacted how this story ended.

Commuter Rail Continues to Grow in Central Florida Today marks the start of SunRail service to DeLand. The new station in Volusia County is the northernmost stop on the 61-mile-long system. Created to serve as an alternative to I-4 for those who commute to work, SunRail has been in operation for just over 10 years years and was developed to be the backbone of a future public transit system. As that system grows, it will take more and more vehicles off Central Florida's roads. The vision for the future system includes the Sunshine Corridor, which Mayor Dyer continues to advocate for. This corridor would connect the current SunRail route to Orlando International Airport and have stops at the convention center and near the theme parks, and also support SunRail adding evening and weekend service. We encourage you to ride the rails and use SunRail to explore our region. At the same time, you can see for yourself the importance of having multiple transit options for residents and visitors.