myregion.org will soon enter a new phase, evolving from the Information Collection to the Information Analysis process, advancing to a new level of regional thinking.

The myregion.org initiative, which is a critical analysis of Central Florida, is shifting from a verbal to a visual language with the next phase focused on interpreting and understanding the tremendous amount of information that has been collected.

Information analysis allows for distinguishing fact from fiction about how the region fits together, and in turn, into the world marketplace. Discussion will shift from ideas to specifics about the data, enabling the development of conclusions and identification of opportunities for the future.

A 250-plus, full-color map system has been developed to reflect the information collected, and will serve as the key for interpreting the data and identifying how Central Florida functions as a region.

“We now have maps that begin to show us who we are as a region in a dramatic and visual way,” explained Project Director Shelley Lauten. “One revealing example is education. No region can be competitive in the global knowledge based economy without looking at our education system. Take a close look at this map (click map to enlarge) portraying the regional educational attainment for high school and above. It is really interesting to note that the largest concentrations of people over 25 with a high school diploma extend continuously along I-95 through Volusia and Brevard Counties.Throughout the rest of the region, it is a very scattered patchwork pattern over the Orlando MSA.”

“This is a significant step in this process, and one that will enable us to start to understand how we can better plan for the future,” she added.