University of Florida to Join Economic
Development Initiative Begun by University of Central Florida
and University of South Florida
ORLANDO (January 3, 2005) – In a move designed
to increase the state’s ability to attract, retain and grow high
tech industry and the workforce to support it, the Florida High
Tech Corridor Council will welcome the University of Florida (UF)
as a full partner in the economic development initiative founded
in 1996 by the University of Central Florida (UCF) and the University
of South Florida (USF).
“We have enthusiastically accepted this invitation to join our
sister universities in a partnership that has enormous potential
to diversify Florida’s economic future,” said University of Florida
President Dr. J. Bernard Machen. “The work that has been done
by UCF and USF is groundbreaking economic development strategy
and we see a bright future working together.”
Machen said UF has pledged to invest $2 million annually in the
Corridor Council’s matching grant research program that to date
has generated more than $128 million in applied research within
key industries targeted for growth – aviation and aerospace, information
technology, medical technology, microelectronics, modeling, simulation
and training, and optics and photonics. More than 75 percent,
or nearly $96 million, of these combined funds have been used
over the eight year period on more than 500 projects that have
engaged 1,000 graduate and doctoral students and research assistants
and 300 faculty members in side-by-side research with scientists
and engineers from the 215 companies.
“Companies in our region and those that wish to come here will
find that this partnership is greatly enhanced by the collaboration
of our three institutions,” said UCF President John Hitt. “Our
ability to help them develop and commercialize new technologies
through matching grant research programs and our work to provide
a qualified workforce has taken a big step forward.”
USF President Dr. Judy Genshaft said, “Our research has shown
that by inviting the University of Florida to participate there
will be a highly positive impact for companies and communities
in the region we serve. Our three institutions not only have world-class
strengths in their own right, but a unique ability to put faculty,
students and research capabilities together in a joint venture
of incredible promise to emerging industry.”
“This initiative has already been recognized nationwide and internationally
as a powerful collaborative concept and now we boast not two but
three of America’s great universities working together for the
good of their region,” said Council President Randy Berridge.
“Our ability to bring them together with our local economic development
partners and the community colleges that serve the region is an
unmatched tool.”
This expansion will increase the list of Corridor counties to
23. Joining the list are Alachua and Putnam counties. Existing
counties include Brevard, Citrus, De Soto, Flagler, Hardee, Hernando,
Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Levy, Manatee, Marion, Orange,
Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, Sumter and
Volusia.
The Corridor Council has partnered across its counties with 12
local economic development organizations, 12 community colleges,
public school systems and numerous high tech companies dedicated
to its mission. “Now, we look forward to expanding this partnership
to include UF and its network and leveraging the strengths of
three universities for the benefit of the entire Florida High
Tech Corridor,” says Berridge. |
