Office of Innovation and Emerging Technologies

We focus on projects and partnerships that implement innovative solutions to meet community needs and enhance the Science, Technology, Education, and Math (STEM) workforce in Orange County.

Smart Cities

Orange County’s Smart Cities vision is focused on serving residents and businesses efficiently and effectively through collaborative partnerships, strategic investments, support of entrepreneurship, and implementation of emerging technologies. Using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the county invested $1.5 million in the multi-year partnership that created Plug and Play Smart Cities in Orange County, a global tech accelerator. Six cohorts of startups will benefit from Plug and Play’s access to specialized expertise and venture capital on a global level .

Other Office of Innovation & Emerging Technologies projects include:

Managing the county’s ARPA-funded grant to provide broadband access to more than 1,300 rural households
Leading Orange County’s Local Technology Planning Team for broadband planning
Hosting the county’s annual Simulation Summit to highlight industry impact, leadership, and trends
Partnering with nonprofit organizations, other local governments, and regional agencies to advance innovation in Orange County and Central Florida

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STEM Workforce

Building a More Connected Orange County

Orange County is committed to ensuring all residents have the opportunity to thrive in today's digital economy. With an investment of over $3.5 million funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and approved by the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, the county partnered with community organizations, higher education, and workforce training providers to strengthen workforce readiness and improve access to technology.

The Office of Innovation & Emerging Technologies administers this STEM grant portfolio and continues to expand partnerships and collaboration with educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, employers, and community leaders, while serving on several boards and committees for ongoing coordination. Together, these initiatives are helping residents to gain access to the devices, digital skills, and career pathways needed to succeed in school, at work, and in everyday life.

Digital Device Access

Digital Device Access

Orange County partnered with the Aeras Foundation to launch the Device Loaner Program, providing laptops, tablets, and other resources to residents who lack reliable access to digital devices to meet their daily needs and expand their career options.

Working through a network of over 100 community-based nonprofit organizations throughout Orange County, the program connects eligible residents with the technology needed to:

Apply for jobs
Build technology skills for the workplace
Complete educational/workforce training programs and certifications
Connect with government services
Access healthcare and telehealth services

By removing barriers to technology access, the Device Loaner Program unlocks greater economic and career opportunities throughout Orange County.

Digital Skills for Life

Orange County partnered with the University of Central Florida's ConnectED Orange initiative to deliver digital literacy training through community nonprofit organizations and digital navigators, as well as an updated knowledge base to help other digital literacy providers enhance their services. The program provided digital literacy classes and technology support to help residents develop essential digital skills, including:

Computer basics
Internet safety and cybersecurity awareness
Email and online communication
Job search and resume development
Accessing online government and healthcare services
Productivity software and digital tools

Digital navigators worked directly with residents to provide one-on-one assistance, helping individuals overcome technology barriers and confidently participate in today's connected economy. They also “trained the trainer” at nonprofit organizations, ensuring nonprofit staff can efficiently assist their clients in the future.

Workforce Development

Orange County is investing in workforce development that prepares residents for high-demand, high-wage careers in fiber optics and wireless 5G systems. Through a partnership with Orange Technical College at their new East Campus, accelerated apprenticeship programs provide industry-focused training designed to quickly connect students with career opportunities in skilled trades and emerging industries.

These programs pair classroom instruction with hands-on learning, allowing participants to earn valuable credentials while gaining real-world experience. Program benefits include:

Industry-recognized certifications
Employer-driven curriculum
Accelerated career pathways
Hands-on technical training
Connections to apprenticeship and employment opportunities

The initiative supports both workforce development and regional economic competitiveness by preparing a skilled talent pipeline for Central Florida employers.

STEM Education

Building Tomorrow's Workforce Today

Orange County is committed to creating opportunities that empower students, strengthen communities, and fuel economic growth through education and innovation. Together with our education, nonprofit, and industry partners, we are inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, technicians, entrepreneurs, and innovators who will shape the future of Orange County.

Orange County invests almost $300,000 annually in grants to nonprofit organizations and educational institutions that deliver project-based learning and high-tech skills to inspire the next generation of trailblazers.

Six grant recipients provide robotics, AI, cybersecurity, aerospace, modeling/simulation programs, and other STEM education, serving 6,741 students and 494 educators in fiscal year 2025.

National Center for Simulation

Orange County supports the National Center for Simulation's mission to advance modeling, simulation, and training technologies while inspiring students to pursue careers in STEM.

Programs introduce K–12 students and educators to emerging technologies through immersive learning experiences, industry engagement, and hands-on activities that demonstrate how simulation technologies are transforming healthcare, aviation, defense, manufacturing, and public safety. Signature programs include the Department of Defense STARBASE, Cyber Camp, Gains in Education of Math and Science (GEMS), plus free access to competitive robotics teams.

Orange County Public Schools

Orange County partners with Orange County Public Schools to strengthen STEM learning through career and technical education (CTE), classroom innovation, and industry-related learning opportunities and certifications.

County investments support initiatives that help students build foundational STEM skills while preparing for college, technical training, apprenticeships, and careers in high-demand industries. These include artificial intelligence, aviation and aerospace, biomedical technology, cybersecurity, and robotics team support.

University of Central Florida

As one of the nation's leading metropolitan research universities, the University of Central Florida is a key partner in Orange County's innovation ecosystem.

County-supported initiatives led by UCF’s Center for Initiatives in STEM (iSTEM) connect students, researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry partners to accelerate innovation, strengthen workforce development, and expand educational opportunities in emerging technologies. The county’s investment supports STEM Days, STEM summer camps and institutes, educator training, community STEM ambassadors, and teams for the annual MISSION: STEM engineering competition.

Collaboration supports experiential learning, applied research, entrepreneurship, and talent development across multiple STEM disciplines, including computer science, engineering, and math.

From elementary classrooms to university research labs, Orange County's investments are helping students discover their potential while creating opportunities in aerospace, advanced manufacturing, modeling and simulation, engineering, photonics, healthcare, information technology, and other high-growth industries.

By supporting STEM educational programs and strategic partnerships, Orange County is helping to:

Expand access to high-quality STEM learning opportunities
Build a highly skilled workforce for high-wage, high-demand careers
Support entrepreneurship, business attraction, and industry growth
Strengthen Central Florida's position as a global hub for technology and innovation

Collegiate Pathways

Orange County supports Collegiate Pathways to expand educational opportunities for students pursuing STEM careers.

Through mentoring and entrepreneurship programs, summer camps, and career and college readiness events, students gain the knowledge, confidence, and support needed to succeed in higher education and high-demand technical professions.

Florida Photonics Cluster

Florida Phototonics Cluster

Orange County partners with the Florida Photonics Cluster to introduce students and educators to careers in optics and photonics while strengthening the region's advanced manufacturing workforce pipeline.

Photonics powers many of today's most advanced technologies—from medical imaging, autonomous systems and aerospace, communications, manufacturing, and defense.

Programs connect classrooms with industry through educator training, youth summer camps, and outreach materials.

FIRST Robotics

Orange County proudly supports FIRST Robotics - Orlando Regional and other FIRST programs that inspire students to become tomorrow's engineers, programmers, innovators, and problem-solvers.

FIRST Robotics competitions provide engineering experiences that prepare students for future success in college and STEM careers. By designing, building, and programming robots, students develop technical knowledge while strengthening critical thinking, teamwork, communication, and leadership skills.

Transportation Technology

Orange County is planning for safe, sustainable, and connected Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). As one of the nation's premier destinations for aviation, aerospace, defense, simulation, and technology innovation, Orange County is at the forefront of private sector and agency efforts to responsibly integrate electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis and vertiport infrastructure into the transportation network.

With Central Florida’s participation in a national pilot project to accelerate AAM in the United States, agencies and industry are working together to evaluate future aviation technologies, regulatory considerations, public safety requirements, infrastructure planning, and community engagement strategies. The Office of Innovation & Emerging Technologies leads Orange County’s efforts to ensure residents, businesses, and stakeholders are informed and engaged.

The Office of Innovation & Emerging Technologies’ AAM initiatives include:

Leading the Orange County AAM Feasibility Study to assess areas of the county where vertiports are currently allowable and compatible, as well as the development review process
Leading a team that developed and implemented new Land Development Code standards for vertiports in collaboration with the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA)
Providing staff training across departments to ensure readiness
Coordinating with GOAA, City of Orlando, the Florida Department of Transportation, other key agencies and Orange County advisory boards on AAM planning

The Office of Innovation & Emerging Technologies provides internal coordination, resources, and referrals to companies with other transportation technologies, such as commercial drone delivery, autonomous robotaxi services, and personal delivery devices such as sidewalk robots.

Drones and autonomous vehicles cannot be regulated by local governments in Florida; and personal delivery devices are allowed to operate with some restrictions. However, coordination is essential to ensure the mobility and safety of all users of the transportation network.

Contact Us

Office of Innovation

Orange County Government Administration Center
201 S Rosalind Ave., 5th Floor
Orlando, FL 32801

Email: Innovation@ocfl.net
Phone: (407) 836-7370

All e-mail sent to this address becomes part of Orange County public record. Comments received by our e-mail subsystem can be read by anyone who requests that privilege. In compliance with "Government in the Sunshine" laws, Orange County Government must make available, at request, any and all information not deemed a threat to the security of law enforcement agencies and personnel.