myregion.org continues to unveil interesting information that makes our region unique. We have gathered information on a global, national, super-regional and regional basis in order to position ourselves in the world economy. Throughout this process, we have learned that we have the most complex environment in North America, that tourism and space are two areas in which our region is successfully competing on the global stage, and that we are “quadramodal.” What does that mean? Like any other region, we depend on sea, air and land to move our products and goods, but we have one more transportation component—space, and all four transportation modes intersect in only one county—the county of Brevard.

These and other assets have helped Port Canaveral to rapidly become the world’s second-largest cruise-ship port and the leader in short-cruise itineraries, with 2 million passengers a year. The combination of our region’s world-class theme parks and cruise holidays will not only lead to greater connectivity between the coast and metropolitan Orlando, but it will also positively affect our economy, attracting new businesses, retaining and creating jobs, and making local businesses more competitive in the world marketplace. This translates to an economic regional impact of $85 million. In 1997, Port Canaveral moved 3.5 million cargo tons, and it is projected to move 4.2 million tons in 2002—an increase of 20 percent.

The port’s cargo vision for 2002 is to work to develop a liner service between Florida and the northeastern states. This effort would not only yield economic benefits but would also help relieve traffic congestion on I-95.

When it comes to air transportation, four commercial airports extend throughout the region. Orlando International is the largest and the principal air connection point for the region, followed by Orlando Sanford International, which serves primarily as an international air-charter center. The other two airports are Daytona Beach Airport and Melbourne International Airport.

All these different ways Central Florida reaches other destinations around the world not only impacts our transportation network locally but also has a far-reaching impact abroad. One of the most important goals of myregion.org is to clarify our strengths and weaknesses relative to other regions and position ourselves more effectively in the global marketplace, while working to preserve our quality of life.

For more information about transportation or how the global economy is affecting Central Florida, visit www.myregion.org, or to know more about the Port, you may contact Port Canaveral’s Communications Director and myregion.org’s Communications Committee member, Rosalind Postell, at rpostell@portcanaveral.org or via telephone at 321.783.7831.