As myregion.org looks at how Central Florida will grow over the next 45 years, it is important to consider what citizens value most regarding quality of life.  The Central Florida Values Study, conducted for myregion.org by Harris Interactive, examines how current Central Florida residents feel about the projected growth and what aspects of their current quality of life they are most concerned with maintaining.

Conducted over a three-month period, this three-part study asked citizens from across the seven-county region a variety of questions designed to shape a context through which myregion.org will conduct upcoming growth discussions and affect decision-making.

The findings were presented to more than 50 leaders from across Central Florida in two sessions on September 22. The results of the study are also available on the web at www.myregion.org.  The study reveals:

• 62% of current residents in Central Florida are overwhelmingly satisfied with their current quality of life and feel the region is heading in the right direction.

• An equally high percentage (64%), however, is concerned that their quality of life could decline over the next five years.  This decline is very strongly linked to growth.

• Citizens overwhelmingly agreed that growth should be managed and that long range growth planning is critical to the region. While 32% of respondents favored slow growth and 14% pro growth, 52% of the respondents were neutral on this issue. However, 80% said that having a vision and long-range plan was important.

Much of what citizens specified as being the “best things” about the region come as no surprise to lifelong residents and newcomers alike.  A strong business economy, great weather, good quality of life, access to major international airports and no state taxes were among those items at the top of the list.

When looking at public priorities, citizens placed the highest priority on access to beaches and recreation. While regional leaders agreed that access to the environment was important, their highest priority is transportation infrastructure. Other significant issues included education and unbalanced placement of development.

Analyzing the baseline data was an important aspect of the study, but the ultimate value of the study to myregion.org and Central Florida is in how the information can be used to frame future conversation.

While the study identified that the citizens are very concerned about the environment of the region, further investigation shows that they are not just committed to ensuring that critical environmental lands of the region are preserved, but are most concerned about maintaining their access to enjoy the environment with their family and friends.

Safety and security was also very important, from both the physical and emotional aspects.  Citizens want to know that their children and belongings are safe and free from crime, providing emotional peace of mind in a community that responds in a friendly and neighborly way.

The addition of four million residents to the Central Florida region over the next 45 years guarantees that “how we grow” will be an important topic for years to come.  Understanding the issues and how our citizenry prioritizes them must be considered in framing future discussions and decisions.