According to a recent report from the Pew Hispanic Center, one of the fastest growing regions for Hispanics isn't Miami, New York or Los Angeles... it's Orlando, Fla.
Hispanics currently make up 22 percent of the population in Metro Orlando and that percentage is growing. Between 2000 and 2007, the Hispanic community grew 4 percent in the U.S. while Metro Orlando experienced a 29 percent growth rate. In fact, Orange County, Fla., ranked 17th in the increase of Hispanic residents and Lake County, Fla., ranked 18th among the 25 fastest-growing Hispanic counties in the country during this same time.
This diversity is a competitive advantage when it comes to business and personal choices for relocation. Over 20,000 Hispanic owned businesses have chosen to locate their operations in Metro Orlando and many of the region's top businesses are led by Hispanics. From the personal side, one out of every six residents in Metro Orlando was born outside the United States, the majority of which (about two-thirds) are from Latin America.
The region's diversity was recently recognized by Forbes when they named Orlando as one of "America's newest immigrant capitals" and the #5 spot for immigrants. The reason? Forbes cites plentiful jobs. And while many know Orlando as a tourism destination, the region is also home to a vibrant $13.4 billion technology industry in fields such as photonics and optics, modeling and simulation, digital media and many others.
Orlando's access and proximity to Latin America is another reason the area is considered a top spot for immigrants. And with recent announcements for direct flights from Copa Airlines to/from Panama, Tam Airlines to/from Brazil and JetBlue to/from Colombia, access to Latin America is easier than ever from Orlando. Not only does this make travel more convenient for leisure and business travelers alike, but it also opens opportunities for companies looking to export products and trade with Latin America.
Building on the belief that a culturally diverse community makes good business sense, the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission (EDC) established a Minority Channel initiative aimed at encouraging minority owned and led businesses in targeted industries to consider Orlando as the site of choice for relocation or expansion. For more information on this initiative, contact us.
