Orlando

Budgets for cultural organizations are down, but a dazzling performing arts center is rising across from City Hall. Over the years, we have watched a symphony orchestra pull off a remarkable resurrection and an opera company go belly up. Arts groups wounded by the economic downturn and corporate funding cutbacks have been forced to go leaner in order to keep presenting their concerts, performances and exhibits.

My clients now say they'd like to do this, but there's the cost."

Greg Gent is able to recite the origins of almost every part and product used in building the house, from the suppliers of sand and limestone in Lake Wales to the cement company in Sumterville. The item he is most excited about, however, is the Pawleys Island handcrafted rope hammock from South Carolina.

Unable to find a ceiling fan manufactured on U.S. soil, he said he and his wife are holding off on ordering any. Maybe someone in this country will start manufacturing them again, he said.

The software consultant and co-founder of Orlando Tech Meetup believes he and his company eventually will return to Orlando because of the talent here and the fact that Doccaster is a convention-related product and Orlando is one of the top convention destinations in the world.

“I want to look back when I am 80 years old and hear Orlando mentioned in the same breath with Boston, Austin, Texas, and Boulder, Colo., when referring to technology communities,” Steele said.

Walt Disney World has partnered with Harvest Power to build a biogas power plant on their property. The new plant will use a number of organic materials including "skimmings from a lift station," food waste, primate manure with bedding, grease trap waste, and "other forms of biosolids."

2012 First Cycle Class

Fancy Kiwi - Provides a very easy to use subscription service for intimate feminine hygiene products with the future intention of becoming the one-stop-shop for all related monthly products.

IN2F - Is working on creating a geo-location platform on which geo-centric apps can be easily created for differing products. Their first app release will be called "I Gotta Pee" and will be focused on providing the easiest way to quickly and conveniently find clean restrooms.