Bringing Reliable Connectivity to Osceola County and Beyond
With millions of smartphone users in Florida, and with up to 25 internet-connected devices in the average American home, wireless connectivity isn’t simply a luxury – it’s a necessity. Reliable internet matters not only in our daily lives, but for public safety and economic growth. To fulfill the demand, Crown Castle is building the 5G framework that will meet these connectivity needs. As an Osceola Chamber member and the nation’s largest provider of shared communications infrastructure, Crown Castle is proud to help deliver fast, reliable connectivity throughout Osceola County, Central Florida, and beyond.
Here are a few reasons why Crown Castle is working to connect our world:
Public Safety
Did you know that 80 percent of 911 calls originate from mobile devices? It’s a fact – and these devices rely upon network bandwidth to connect. Not only do residents need reliable connectivity to stay safe, but first responders rely on it to share data with dispatchers, provide medical history to EMS, and more. Since 5G wireless has been introduced, there have been significant reductions in emergency response times and hospital admissions, thanks to advances powered by connectivity. Crown Castle is proud to provide the speed and reliability first responders need to save lives.
Reliable Connectivity
Everyone expects a fast wireless connection in an instant – and Crown Castle works to provide exactly that. Whether finding a safe ride home, quickly finding information on the internet, getting to your destination via GPS, or even just ordering dinner through delivery apps, a consistent wireless connection is essential. Smartphones already generate the vast majority of mobile data traffic, and with growing telemedicine, touchless payment, and remote work industries, 5G is already at the center of our lives – even if we don’t yet know it.
Economic & Workforce Development
Osceola County is Central Florida’s fastest-growing county – and with that growth comes economic opportunities. Whether in-office or work-from-home, the workforce of 2022 and beyond needs the cutting-edge 5G communications infrastructure that Crown Castle makes possible. This next-generation infrastructure doesn’t build itself, though – and that means great high-tech jobs with competitive salaries and benefits coming to our region. With 5G technology adding an estimated 8.5 million jobs and $900 billion in economic impact nationwide by 2025, Osceola County can be on the forefront of that growth.
For over 100 years, The Osceola Chamber has supported businesses large and small – and Crown Castle is proud to be one of them. Over the past two decades, we’ve invested $40 billion across the nation in shared communications infrastructure that makes possible both today’s networks and the next generation of wireless in Central Florida and beyond. We have a lot more work to do here in Osceola County, as your partner in not only meeting the demand for data, but driving innovation for the future.
To learn more, please visit crowncastle.com.
On Wednesday, July 20, The Osceola Chamber hosted an in-person Hob Nob at Osceola Heritage Park for the first time since 2018.
All candidates running in races that touch Osceola County at the local, state, or national level were invited to pre-record a brief statement for the event to help event attendees become better acquainted with their platforms and positions. These video statements played in loop throughout the event and may be viewed below.
In addition, all candidates were invited to participate in the event with a physical booth space alongside our sponsors and other member businesses. Candidates with booth spaces also participated in a “Parade of Candidates” emceed by Chamber President/CEO John Newstreet.
Said John Newstreet, “The Osceola Chamber was pleased to host our Hob Nob for the community. As the saying goes, ‘Elections have consequences,’ and businesses of all sizes are feeling great pressure today and for the foreseeable future due, in large part, to decisions made by elected officials. Attendees were able to engage candidates, vote in our straw poll, and build their network. The event showcased candidates across the spectrum on the Osceola ballot and highlighted how ‘Business Works Better Together.’”
The Osceola Hob Nob was sponsored by Kissimmee Utility Authority, Walt Disney World Resort, the University of Central Florida, and SkyWater Technologies Foundry. The event partnered with the City of Kissimmee, Access Osceola, the Supervisor of Elections, Positively Osceola, The Osceola News Gazette, and El Osceola Star Newspaper.
All ticketed attendees had the opportunity to vote for their favorite candidates with a straw ballot provided by the Osceola County Supervisor of Elections office. Votes were tabulated at the end of the evening.
Straw poll results for the contested races were as follows:
U.S. House of Representatives Florida Congressional District 9
*Darren Soto – 65%
Scotty Moore – 10%
Adianis Morales – 9%
Jose Castillo – 8%
Sergio Ortiz – 7%
Florida Senate District 25
*Victor Torres – 58%
Peter Vivaldi – 42%
Florida House of Representatives Seat 45
*Carolina Amesty – 34%
Allie Braswell – 21%
Mike Zhao – 16%
Vennia Francois – 11%
Bruno Portigliatti – 9%
Janet Frevola – 9%
Florida House of Representatives Seat 46
*Kristen Arrington – 63%
Christian De La Torre – 19%
Ivan Rivera – 18%
Florida House of Representatives Seat 47
*Paula Stark – 40%
Daniel Marquith – 29%
Anthony Nieves – 16%
Andrew Jeng – 14%
Florida House of Representatives Seat 35
*Fred Hawkins – 50%
Tahtiana Chaffin – 13%
Dianna Liebnitzky – 12%
Ken Davenport – 9%
Tom Keen – 9%
Rishi Bagga – 7%
Osceola County Commission District 2
*Viviana Janer – 75%
Beulah Farquarson – 25%
Osceola County Commission District 4
*Cheryl Grieb – 54%
Jackie Espinosa – 43%
Carlos Irizarry – 3%
Osceola County School Board Seat 1
*Teresa Castillo – 59%
Jennifer Arguello – 23%
James Nickles – 18%
Osceola County School Board Seat 4
*Heather Kahoun – 48%
Will Fonseca – 40%
Mindy Brewster – 12%
Osceola County School Board Seat 5
*Erika Booth – 76%
Debra Mann – 24%
City of Kissimmee Commission Seat 2
*Angela Eady – 59%
Felix Ortiz – 41%
City of Kissimmee Commission Seat 4
*Jim Fisher – 58%
Janette Martinez – 42%
St. Cloud City Council Seat 4
*Ken Gilbert – 68%
Tom Lord – 32%
St. Cloud City Council Seat 5
*Christine Ladas-Drake – 29%
Jeffery Rivera – 28%
Shawn Fletcher – 27%
Stephanie Chmielewski – 15%
Circuit Court Judge – Circuit 9, Group 9
*Fay Olga Pappas – 68%
Alison Kerestes – 32%
Circuit Court Judge – Circuit 9, Group 14
*John Beamer – 62%
Michael Stewart – 38%
Circuit Court Judge – Circuit 9,Group 44
*Vincent Chiu – 78%
Aldo Bartolone – 22%
A new senior living community will soon join the St. Cloud community. St. Cloud will be blessed to add another quality senior living option this year: Benton House of Narcoossee. The community is currently offering scheduled tours and founders club rates, and is experiencing rapid growth.
“We’re so honored and humbled by the welcome the residents of St. Cloud have given us,” says Angela Young, Executive Director of the Benton House.
The Benton House community in St. Cloud is designed to create a very specific lifestyle. The community is single-story, so everything is on one level. There are just 52 apartments – enough units to create a sense of community, but still really get to know your neighbors. The dedicated memory care neighborhood design is one of the best in the country with a large open floor plan and 20 apartments. Two large courtyards offer places to relax and reconnect with nature.
Services are planned to be comprehensive. Included with the monthly rental are meals, housekeeping, activities, and a host of other services. Residents may also choose other care services like medication assistance or personal care.
Finally, Angela recommends that the residents of St. Cloud think of Benton House not only a senior living community, but as a resource for help with senior care in general. “We’re proud to have served thousands of seniors at our communities over our 25-plus years of service. But we are equally proud to have served thousands more at home by sharing tools and offering advice.”
The Benton House team believes that, though not everyone will call Benton House their home, they want everyone to feel part of the Benton House family. There are some real keys to successful aging, and their mission is to share those keys with all who call to maximize their service to seniors. Wherever you are in your journey, they are there to help!
For more information about Benton House, you can call 321-895-2121, email narcoosseeinfo@bentonhouse.com, or visit www.bentonhouse.com. Benton House is located at 2910 Narcoossee Road, St Cloud, FL 34771.
