Mayor Jerry Demings gives final State of the County address

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings reflected on his nearly eight-year term as mayor and what residents can expect for the future during his last State of the County address Friday, June 5. 

“During my two terms, Orange County has experienced remarkable growth, strengthened and diversified its economy, and faced moments that tested us all,” he said. “I must say these past nearly eight years have been challenging.” 

While experiencing strong residential and commercial growth and record tourism, the county had to navigate a once-in-a-lifetime global pandemic and Hurricane Ian, which caused historic flooding in the state of Florida, unlike anything it has seen in 500 years. 

“Through it all, we remained focused,” he said. “Together, we have delivered essential services, protected our quality of life and planned not just for today, but for generations to come.”

Demings celebrated all the accomplishments the county has achieved during his leadership, including advancements to the housing crisis, the transportation crisis and homelessness. 

In 2021, the county increased its annual funding to more than $56 million to address homelessness. 

Through annual investments, the county has offered mental health services and crisis intervention programs, which have diverted more than 2,000 households from entering homelessness. 

Demings said the county also has committed to building a 150-bed transitional facility, known as the Goldenrod Village Housing Navigation Center, in east Orange County. 

The center will provide healthcare and mental-health assistance, as well as employment and education support. 

Soon, the first phase of Universal’s 1,000-unit multi-facility housing complex called Catchlight Crossings, a unit-affordable and workforce-housing community, will open. 

Furthermore, Walt Disney World also committed to building almost 1,300 affordable apartment homes on Disney-donated land. 

By the end of 2028, Orange County will have created or preserved more than 10,000 housing units, Demings said. 

In July, new additions to the Orange County Multicultural Center in West Orange County will be made.

“This $30 million facility will soon feature a beautiful senior center offering programs to promote connection, health and lifelong learning,” Demings said. “We will open the Innovation Center, a hub for workforce development, up-skilling and technology for residents and employees from children to seniors. I look forward to the rich multi-generational exchange of cultural ideas and learning that will unfold at the multicultural center.”

After Hurricane Ian had a devastating impact in many parts of Central Florida, the county received more than $219 million in federal disaster recovery funds. 

From those funds, $18.5 million have been allocated toward a new 350-bed center for women and families at the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida. 

Another $15 million was allocated for United Against Poverty, which will be used to expand access to food and services for nearly 22,000 Orange County families. 

Demings said commissioners have been hard at work and progress has been made all across the county. 

Last year, the county invested more than $1 billion in corrections, fire rescue and the sheriff’s office. 

Recently, Orange County Fire Rescue launched the Pre-hospital Whole Blood Program, providing life-saving O-positive whole blood at trauma scenes, increasing survival rates before patients reach the hospital. 

In 2025, West Orange resident Kristopher Baker was riding his motorcycle when he hit a guardrail and was injured. 

OCFR acted quickly and administered a life-saving blood transfusion on scene. 

Baker credits the program for being alive today. 

“It’s just a second chance at life,” Baker said. 

On top of that, Orange County also opened a $52 million state-of-the-art training center in 2025 to prepare firefighters to meet the demands of their jobs, by providing advanced and realistic training. 

In the past year, OCFR responded to more than 142,000 calls for service. 

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office responded to 1.2 million calls for service. 

Demings said accidental drug deaths also have decreased by more than half since 2021, crediting first responders for their continuous dedication to the Orange County community. 

But the celebration didn’t end there. 

Demings said tourism development tax revenue reached a record level of $384 million in 2025, and new events and developments are sure to keep that up. 

In 2025, Central Florida welcomed 76.7 million visitors. 

“By far, we have more visitors than anywhere else in North America,” he said. “The record-breaking attendance generated billions of dollars in economic impact.” 

Recently, commissioners voted to use $25 million in tourist development tax funding over five years to incentivize film and television productions in Orange County, creating brand visibility for the region, while also generating high-wage jobs that grow the local economy.

On March 31, the Jacksonville Jaguars announced the team will play its 2027 season at the Camping World Stadium, which is newly renovated through $400 million in tourist development tax funding.

“Fans and visitors will have the chance to experience the NFL and professional football again right here at our hometown field,” Demings said. 

He said the county also is in the running for a future NBA All-Star gaming competition, and as one of four global cities to host the Olympic Qualifiers, these events are expected to generate billions of dollars in economic impact and support thousands of jobs. 

In this fiscal year, Orange County also will host 185 events that will generate $5 billion in economic impact with more than 2.3 million attendees at the Orange County Convention Center. 

Since Demings took office, the convention center’s attendance has nearly doubled, and the economic impact has grown by more than 66%, he said.

Demings said it has been an honor of a lifetime to serve as the county’s mayor. 

“The best is yet to come,” he said. “And may God continue to bless Orange County and all of us.”