FLORIDA REGION CHOSEN AS A FINALIST IN NATIONAL HIGH TECH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND LEADERSHIP AWARD

Orlando, Fla. (March 20, 2007) –The Florida High Tech Corridor Council (FHTCC) has been chosen as a finalist for the prestigious CoreNet Global Economic Development Leadership Award for its unique approach to high tech economic development through university and economic development organization partnerships, matching funds research and educational initiatives.

“The Florida High Tech Corridor Council is honored to be selected as a finalist for an award that is so highly regarded in the economic development community,” said Randy Berridge, FHTCC President.  “FHTCC relies on the dedication of so many of our partners and I am proud to be representing them on Wednesday.” 

Representatives from FHTCC will travel to Princeton University on Wednesday, March 21 to participate in the final phase of the selection process, along with representatives from five other regions from around the country.  The finalists will be judged by a panel of senior corporate real estate executives and economic development leaders. 

The CoreNet Global Award recognizes excellence in leadership and innovation examples, such as

• Creating new strategies in the 21st century;
• University partnerships;
• Achieving regionalism in economic development and promotion; and,
• Attracting major new corporate facilities and jobs.

About FHTCC
The Florida High Tech Corridor Council (FHTCC) is an economic development initiative of the University of Central Florida (UCF), the University of South Florida (USF) and the University of Florida (UF) whose mission is to attract, retain and grow high tech industry and to help develop the workforce to support those industries in the 23-county Corridor.

A partnership involving more than 20 local and regional economic development organizations (EDO) and 14 community colleges, the Council itself is made up of the presidents of UCF, USF and UF, the presidents of two of the community colleges who serve on a rotating basis, the president of the Florida Institute of Technology and representatives of high tech industry.

The unique partnership has resulted in a strategic approach to high tech economic development that involves matching funds research, workforce development and a marketing program leveraging governmental, EDO and corporate budgets on a regional rather than local basis.