If one group of elected officials has anything to say about it, the completion of the “How Shall We Grow?” initiative will serve as a key milestone, rather than as the conclusion of their efforts to work together toward implementing a shared vision for Central Florida.

In April 2006, the city mayors and county leaders from throughout the region started holding separate meetings to discuss the key issues facing Central Florida. Since February of this year, a smaller group of 16 leaders that included a city mayor and county commissioner from each county along with two representatives of the School Board Coalition, known as the Joint Policy Framework Committee, has been meeting to develop specific policies that can help ensure that the Shared Growth Vision for Central Florida moves from vision to reality.

As part of their meeting on July 26, the Joint Policy Framework Committee is expected to approve the Central Florida Regional Compact, which is their pledge to continue working together to address key regional issues facing Central Florida.

Already, the Joint Policy Framework Committee has put into motion actions that will help impact two of the six regional principles addressed in the “How Shall We Grow?” process.

The Committee endorsed the creation of the Central Florida Green Print Committee, which is identifying the key environmental lands in the region and will then devise a strategy for preservation.

They also encouraged the Central Florida MPO Alliance to expand its membership to include all transportation organizations in Central Florida and to continue to address transportation issues from a regional perspective.

The exact role of the Joint Policy Framework Committee in the future is yet to be determined, but there is little question that continuing the regional dialogue at the elected official level will be crucial to the success of the vision.  Fortunately, leaders across the region are already committed to making sure that happens.