The events of September 11th have reminded Central Florida that its economy relies far too much on one industry -- tourism. The region's leaders are now pushing to diversify, looking to other mid-sized cities like Pittsburgh, PA and Austin, TX for advice.
"This week, the Orlando Sentinel has examined the toll three decades of a tourism-dominated economy has taken on the region's quality of life. So the question naturally arises: What should the metropolitan area do now?" The answer seems to lie in expanding the high-tech and film/television industries already in town. "Strangely enough, one of the biggest obstacles standing between Orlando and economic diversity is the fact that tourism is not a dying industry. Much the opposite, the industry has demonstrated time and again the ability to grow the city while continuing to draw ever-greater numbers of tourists. The area's political leadership has long embraced the industry for the jobs it brings to the area -- even though they're low-paying jobs. But every 10 years or so, Orlando is reminded -- in a rather jarring fashion -- that its economy relies far too much on an oversized mouse."
Thanks to Christian Peralta
FULL STORY: If and when the fun ends, region needs a new ticket

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