On February 15, the Four Corners Council of The Osceola Chamber hosted its semi-annual Four Corners Summit at Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate. The event brought together major players from the public and private sectors to focus on the future of the “land of opportunity” that is the Four Corners region of Central Florida. This leading area of growth and development in Central Florida includes small businesses, major corporations, residents, and visitors who identify the Four Corners as their home place. The Four Corners Council; the Four Corners, One Vision Board of Directors; commissioners and county staff from Osceola, Orange, Lake, and Polk counties; and volunteer business leaders from the community, have worked for the past five years to find solutions to the challenges faced by the Four Corners as one place with many parts. The 2024 Four Corners Summit gave a platform for those contributors to present proposed next steps for the future of Four Corners.
Past Four Corners Council Chairman Steve Silcock presented history of the work of the Four Corners Council and Four Corners, One Vision Initiative, and past-Chairman Allison Beeman hosted a panel of long-term private-sector contributors to the growth, development, and place-making of Four Corners.
The “My Four Corners Story” panel included Maggie Blonko, CEO of Orlando Health Horizon West Hospital; Marc Reicher of RIDA Development and ChampionsGate; Jessica Whitehouse with Cagan Development; and John Classe with VHB and former Administrator of the Reedy Creek Improvement District. Tom Kohler with G.A.I. Consultants shared the latest statistics and challenges relevant to the Four Corners.
After a catered lunch, each County offered a presentation of its latest developments in the Four Corners and Marc Reicher moderated a panel featuring Lake County Manager Jennifer Barker and Director of Economic Development Kathleen Dial, Osceola Assistant County Manager Amanda Clavijo and Economic Development Director Christina Morris, and Polk County Manager Bill Beasley and Director of the Office of Development and Planning, John Bohde.
County representatives applauded the Summit format and ability to come together as four governments representative of one “place.” Said Kathleen Dial, “At its highest level, economic development is about place-making – making sure we’re creating a great place to live, work, & play in the Four Corners.” Lake County Manager Jennifer Barker, added that she “learned a lot about the other counties” herself, and Osceola’s Christina Morris encouraged business sector attendees to “stay engaged so we can hear your voice.”
Among announcements made at the Summit was that of the development of the first entity purely focused on life, work, development, and growth in the Four Corners. The event was sponsored by Orlando Health, with supporting sponsorship from Duke Energy and Street Outdoor.
View the event presentation slides here.
Check out additional highlights in the gallery below.
Christina was raised in St. Cloud and holds degrees from the University of South Florida and the University of Central Florida. She joined the Chamber in April 2015. As Director of Administration, she manages the Area Council’s events, sub-committee meetings, projects, and board engagements.
