|
EDITORIAL: High-tech highlight [The Orlando Sentinel, Fla.]
(Orlando Sentinel (FL) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Dec. 24--High-tech highlight
Most of the good news for Central Florida's economy in 2011 seemed to come from the region's bedrock industry of tourism. Legoland Florida opened, and SeaWorld Orlando, Disney World and Universal Orlando announced expansions or new attractions. Universal's Harry Potter addition continued to pull in huge crowds.
But a recent development could make 2012 a good year for an increasingly important and higher-paying sector for the region.
The Navy's Orlando-based simulation-training agency has announced plans to award three major contracts next year -- potentially totaling $300 million -- to produce computer-based virtual training for one of its new warships. The contracts could create hundreds more jobs in the local computer simulation industry.
Orlando already is home to the nation's largest cluster of computer modeling, simulation and training companies, anchored by a group of military training agencies headquartered at the Central Florida Research Park. At least 150 of these companies, with more than 12,500 employees, have sprouted in the region. Together, they pump more than $3 billion a year into Central Florida's economy.
A healthy tourism industry in Central Florida is a blessing. But continued growth in computer simulation -- as well as in other burgeoning high-tech, high-wage fields like digital media, biomedical research and laser technology -- is essential to making the region's economy stronger and more stable for the long term.
___
(c)2011 The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Fla.)
Visit The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Fla.) at www.OrlandoSentinel.com
Distributed by MCT Information Services
[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
|
TMCnet LOGIN
Webinars
