Dear Colleagues,
Our efforts to attract, retain and grow high tech industry within the Florida High Tech Corridor begin and end with our two university parents ... the University of Central Florida in Orlando and the University of South Florida in Tampa ... and from beginning to end, 2002 has been a very good year.
Look at research. Both schools were listed this year on the prestigious MIT 2002 University Research Scorecard. USF and UCF combined reported total research dollars in the amount of $278 million.
Research supports existing industry, spurs expansion, creates spin-offs and attracts new industries that are research and development oriented to the region.
Not surprising then is the Council's continued commitment to matching research projects with partner companies in the region. As you will read in the research sections of this year's report, the Corridor granted $4.9 million for projects involving 50 companies that are partnering with faculty and students at the two universities.
That brings the total to $90 million invested in such research since 1996, with more than 175 companies participating in 350 projects which included $30 million of FHTCC funds, matched by $60 million from these companies to complete these projects.
As economists look ahead to a resurgence in the national and global economies, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council remains committed to its partnerships with the economic development organizations of our region. A dozen organizations come together in this partnership to maximize the potential to invest in programs to market the region, including trade shows, media missions and advertising.
And, as always, our efforts are focused on enhancing the region's ability to provide a trained, qualified workforce. They include innovative approaches to teacher education in our primary school systems, UCF and USF cooperation with our 11 community colleges to develop 2+2 associates' degrees and specialty certificate programs, and this year grew to include two exciting new approaches to matching the needs of employers and job seekers with the educational resources offered throughout the Corridor.
We were honored and our commitment renewed this year by recognition from the World Teleport Association as one of this year's Top Seven Intelligent Communities. Named alongside progressive communities around the globe striving to enhance their technological future, the Florida High Tech Corridor was the only region to make the list ... and we were selected specifically due to our efforts in workforce and economic development.
We are grateful to an enlightened Legislature and thankful for the leadership of Gov. Jeb Bush who has continued to support this unprecedented, successful research, marketing and workforce development partnership.
We hope you will find this on-line annual report gives an in-depth insight into this unique cooperative effort of two great metropolitan universities.
Best regards,
Randy Berridge, President
Florida High Tech Corridor Council
P. S.
The Corridor Council's fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30. Some activities included in this report are actually for our 2003 Fiscal Year but began in Fiscal Year 2002.
