Florida High Tech Corridor Council Recognized as Best Example of Tech-Based Economic Development

Sept. 15, 2010 - PRLog -- HEATHROW, FL  – The Florida High Tech Corridor Council earned national acclaim from the State Science and Technology Institute (SSTI) as one of four winners celebrating the highest achievements in Technology-Based Economic Development (TBED).  

As part of its 2010 Excellence in TBED Awards, SSTI awarded the Council’s Matching Grants Research Program in the category of Improving Competitiveness of Existing Industries, recognizing its innovative approach to grow and sustain a high tech economy through university and industry partnerships.

Florida High Tech Corridor Council (FHTCC) President Randy Berridge was on hand to accept the award during SSTI’s 14th Annual Conference held in Pittsburgh, and attended by some of the nation’s top economic development policymakers and practitioners.

“This award stands as a testament to the power of our 14-year partnership in catalyzing economic growth and expanding high tech industry,” said Berridge.  “We are proud to be recognized for a program that owes its success to the caliber of high tech industry partners and faculty researchers at our three Corridor universities:  University of Central Florida, University of South Florida and University of Florida.”

“The Florida High Tech Corridor Council has a long-standing, impressive track record of commercialization by leveraging university resources,” said Dan Berglund, SSTI president and CEO.  “The program provides an exemplary model for states to develop ties between industries and universities.”

FHTCC’s Matching Grants Research Program expands the innovation capacity of companies and high tech industries in the region by providing research dollars for companies seeking solutions in product development, intellectual property and contracting R&D.  Since the establishment of the program in 1996, the Council has invested more than $55 million to engage 2,400 faculty and students in applied research with more than 300 company partners.  Matching corporate and governmental funds have resulted in a more than $930 million economic impact in the 23-county region.

SSTI presented three other awards in the categories of Expanding the Research Capacity, Building Entrepreneurial Capacity and Increasing Access to Capital to Maine Technology Asset Fund, JumpStart Inc. and i2E Inc. Oklahoma's Proof-of-Concept Fund, respectively.

To learn more about the other SSTI TBED winners, read the official announcement from SSTI posted at http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/four-organizations-achieving-impressive-economic-results-win-national-award-serving-as-models-of-best-practice-for-states-and-regions-102969144.html.

About SSTI
The State Science and Technology Institute is a national nonprofit organization that leads, supports and strengthens efforts to improve state and regional economies through science, technology and innovation.  For more information, visit www.SSTI.org.

About the Florida High Tech Corridor Council
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).  The mission of FHTCC is to grow high tech industry and innovation through research, workforce and marketing partnerships.  

A partnership involving more than 20 local and regional economic development organizations (EDOs) and 14 community colleges, the Council is co-chaired by the presidents of UCF, USF and UF.  The Council includes the presidents of two of the community colleges, the president of 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.

The Florida High Tech Corridor Council was the International Economic Development Council’s 2009 award winner in the Partnerships with Educational Institutions category.

For more information, visit www.floridahightech.com.

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Florida High Tech Corridor Council is an economic development initiative of University of Central Florida, University of South Florida & University of Florida whose mission is to attract, retain & grow high tech industry and the workforce to support it.