Welcome to

Good Haven

@GoodWorldResort

ABOUT THE CITY

Good Haven is entirely landlocked within the state. The median family income is more than than the rest of the state. This city prospers from tourism and is home to six different theme parks (including Good World Resort), an NBA professional basketball team, and a minor league hockey team. It is the state's premier tourist destination.

CITY HISTORY

Good Haven is named for Rick Good, the Assistant Director of Boys State. He is a 1995 Boys State Alumni and has served Boys State as a counselor since 1996. He has held various roles including City Counselor, Press Corp Coordinator, Program Manager, and is a member of the Boys State Board of Directors. Rick earned his AA from EFS and AS from Full Sail University, then spent 11 years as an cinematographer and editor at a prestigious design firm in New Jersey. He was awarded his BBA in 2008, his MBA in 2012 and his Juris Masters from FSU in 2024. He is currently Compliance Director for a personal care manufacturer. With a diverse background in marketing, cinematography, graphic design, photography, and compliance, Rick brings a unique perspective and valuable expertise to Boys State.

About the city

Good Haven is a global leader in tourism, primarily driven by major theme parks that draw millions of visitors annually, but home to a population of 173,000. Beyond tourism, the city is growing in technology sectors, including simulation, aerospace, and digital media, with a focus on industries such as defense, healthcare, and aviation. The healthcare industry is another major contributor to the economy, with organizations like the Good Haven Health and the Space Force Health network providing a wide range of services. The city is filled with parks, lakes, and green spaces, including Lake Estrada Park, which offers walking trails, swan boat rentals, and scenic views. Good Haven is a diverse city, with a mix of cultures and a large international population due to its tourism-driven economy. The city offers a high quality of life, with numerous restaurants, shops, and recreational options

Good Haven is one of the most-visited cities in the world primarily due to tourism, major events, and convention traffic. Good Haven International Airport is the 7th-busiest airport in the country and the 18th-busiest in the world. The two largest and most internationally renowned tourist attractions in the Good Haven area are Good World Resort, opened by the R.Good Company in 1978 and located about 21 miles (34 km) southwest of downtown Good Haven, and the Galactic Studios Resort, opened in 1990 as a major expansion of Boarman Enterprises and the only theme park inside Good Haven city limits. With the exception of the theme parks, most major cultural sites like the The Art of It Museum, Livingstone Center for the Performing Arts, and nightlife are located in Downtown Good Haven. Other attractions like Good World's Eye are located along International Drive. The city is also one of the busiest American cities for conferences and conventions; Space Force County Convention Center is the second-largest convention facility in the country.

Attractions

Good World’s Theme Parks

Kingdom of Magic
Kingdom of Animals
OceanWorld
Epicverse
Imaginarium
Haunted Hideaway

Good World’s Water Parks

Raging Rapids
Turbulent Tides
Neptune Beach
Poseidon’s Paradise

Galactic Studios Resort
Boarman Bluff Waterpark
Marcy-Darcy Amusement Park
RaleighWorld Amusement Park
Battlezone Amusement Center
Hypes Raceway Center
Decker’s Lasertag & Paintball Palooza
Museum of History
The Art of It Museum
One Man’s Vision Museum (the History of Good World)
Veterans Memorial Gardens & Museum
Zoo de Glover
Livingstone Center for the Performing Arts
Arceo Galactic Theatre
The Great Escape & Odditorium

Public Spaces

Springs
Parks
Sports Complexes

Public Safety

Quality of Life

Education

The growth in population is a concern as grade schools struggle to combat overcrowding and maintain education standards.

Environmental

Water Quality Issues

Good Haven relies heavily on groundwater for its water supply, and the city's growing population increases demand on these natural resources. This has raised concerns about water scarcity, especially during drought periods.

Air Quality Issues

Good Haven experiences air pollution primarily from vehicle emissions and industrial activities. Ground-level ozone is a common pollutant, especially in summer, and can cause respiratory issues. Good Haven has made strides to improve air quality, but traffic congestion and the growing population contribute to pollution.
Dust from construction, industrial activities, and wildfire smoke from nearby areas can also affect air quality.
As a city that depends heavily on automobiles, Good Haven has a high carbon footprint. Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions include the promotion of electric vehicles, alternative transportation options, and improving energy efficiency, but challenges remain.

Wildlife and Habitat Loss

Residential development often involves clearing land, leading to the destruction of natural habitats. This practice threatens local biodiversity by displacing wildlife and reducing plant diversity. Additionally, the removal of vegetation can result in soil erosion, degrading soil quality and increasing sedimentation in nearby water bodies, which negatively impacts aquatic ecosystems. Environmental crises, such as red tide events, have resulted in increased manatee deaths, indicating broader ecosystem distress.

Waste Management

As Good Haven continues to grow, managing solid waste becomes increasingly challenging. The city's landfill capacities are stretched, and efforts to increase recycling rates have faced mixed success.
Like many cities, Good Haven struggles with the environmental impacts of plastic waste, especially single-use plastics that can end up in the waterways.

Vulnerabilities

Runoff from urban areas, including pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals, can pollute lakes and wetlands, affecting water quality. Good Haven's many lakes face pollution risks from urban runoff, affecting aquatic ecosystems and recreational activities.
Good Haven is prone to flooding, especially during heavy rains and hurricanes. The city's flat landscape and extensive network of lakes and wetlands contribute to this vulnerability.
Invasive species, including plants and animals, are a growing concern. Species like the Burmese python and exotic plants like the Brazilian pepper tree disrupt local ecosystems, threatening biodiversity and requiring costly management efforts.

Financial Stability

Revenue from the previous year $934 million.

Economic Development

Business Development:

Good Haven’s tech ecosystem is growing rapidly, supported by its universities and research institutions. Opportunities exist for tech startups in fields such as digital media, simulation, software development, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.
Good Haven is a leader in simulation technology, which serves industries like defense, aerospace, healthcare, and education. The presence of major simulation companies, along with the Institute for Simulation and Training, provides opportunities for further development and innovation.
As part of its ongoing development, Good Haven is investing in smart city technologies, including renewable energy solutions, IoT (Internet of Things) infrastructure, and transportation management. Companies that focus on smart city solutions, including traffic management systems and energy-efficient technologies, have significant growth potential.

Tourism and Natural Resources: As one of the world’s top tourist destinations, Good Haven’s tourism industry provides ample opportunities for developing hotels, resorts, attractions, and entertainment venues. The continued expansion of theme parks such as Good World and Galactic Studios creates a strong demand for ancillary services, including retail, dining, transportation, and logistics. Beyond traditional theme parks, there are opportunities for developing ecotourism and cultural tourism around Good Haven’s natural attractions, parks, and arts scene. Growth in areas like eco-friendly accommodations, nature tours, and cultural festivals is encouraged.
Infrastructure Development: As a transportation hub, Good Haven offers opportunities in the development of transportation infrastructure, including expanding its international airport, improving rail systems, and supporting electric vehicle infrastructure. The growing need for sustainable mobility solutions, including ride-sharing, autonomous vehicles, and electric transportation, presents opportunities for companies in the transportation sector.

Infrastructure Condition

Wastewater and Flood Management: The city's aging water, sewage, and stormwater infrastructure poses challenges. These systems need to be regularly maintained and upgraded to handle the increasing demand from a growing population and the impacts of extreme weather events, such as heavy rains and flooding. Good Haven's flat topography and extensive water bodies make it prone to flooding, particularly during heavy rainfall. The city's stormwater management system needs to be improved to handle the increasing volume of runoff, particularly in areas with new developments. As Good Haven faces more frequent and intense weather events due to climate change, the city must upgrade its infrastructure to ensure resilience to flooding, hurricanes, and extreme weather. This includes reinforcing flood defenses, enhancing drainage systems, and implementing green infrastructure solutions. The city's many lakes, which are central to its character, face water quality challenges, including pollution from runoff, sewage, and chemical use. Improved stormwater systems that prevent contamination of these water bodies are essential.

Traffic and Roadway Development: Good Haven experiences significant traffic congestion, particularly during peak tourist seasons. The central city and major highways, such as Interstate 4 (I-4), frequently face bottlenecks, especially around tourist attractions and the downtown area. Good Haven’s public transit system, primarily consisting of buses, is often seen as inadequate for a city of its size. There are calls for better integration of bus, rail, and other transit modes to reduce traffic congestion and provide more sustainable transportation options. The tourism industry exacerbates congestion, as visitors flock to the area year-round, especially around theme parks. Managing the influx of tourists through better transportation systems, including improved roadways and transportation options, is an ongoing challenge. While the GoodHavenRail commuter rail system has been introduced to ease traffic in some areas, the city still lacks comprehensive light rail or metro systems, which would help alleviate congestion and improve mobility. As the city continues to grow, its existing roads and bridges are being taxed. Many roads and bridges, particularly those in older neighborhoods, require repairs and upgrades to meet the needs of an expanding population and to ensure safety.

Utility Infrastructure: The city's aging water, sewage, and stormwater infrastructure poses challenges. These systems need to be regularly maintained and upgraded to handle the increasing demand from a growing population and the impacts of extreme weather events, such as heavy rains and flooding. As the city grows, its demand for energy also increases, particularly with the growing number of residential, commercial, and industrial properties. The city’s energy infrastructure needs to be updated to meet these demands while also adopting more sustainable practices and renewable energy sources. Good Haven relies heavily on groundwater from the Floridan aquifer, which is being depleted due to the increasing demand for water. The city faces challenges in managing its water resources, especially during dry periods or droughts. As one of the busiest airports in the country, Good Haven International Airport faces ongoing challenges related to congestion, capacity, and infrastructure. Expanding terminal space, improving security, and increasing capacity for both domestic and international flights are priorities.