The Florida High Tech Corridor Council was established by the Legislature in 1996 to attract, retain and grow high tech industry and to help develop the workforce to support those industries in the 21-county service areas of the University of Central Florida and the University of South Florida. In January 2005, the Council welcomed the University of Florida as a full partner of this unique economic development initiative, merging the strengths of three world-class universities and bringing the number of Corridor counties to 23.
The Corridor Council is a partnership involving more than 20 local and regional economic development organizations (EDOs) and 14 community colleges serving the 23-county region. The Council itself is made-up of the presidents of the three state universities, the presidents of two of the community colleges who serve on a rotating basis, the president of the Florida Institute of Technology, and up to 24 representatives of high tech industry. Those partnerships have resulted in a strategic approach to high tech economic development that involves matching funds research, workforce development, cultivation of technology communities and a marketing program leveraging governmental, EDO, and corporate budgets on a regional rather than local basis.
Corridor partners cooperate to identify and initiate pro-industry legislative and tax incentives, develop and provide innovative credit and non-credit training programs, and invest in infrastructure-building projects to increase Florida's strength as a nationally-recognized, high-technology region.
Florida-based technology companies partnering with USF faculty are eligible to request Florida High Tech Corridor matching funds. While projects may be proposed in any discipline, proposals are particularly encouraged in areas contributing to the development of the Florida High Tech Corridor focus areas.
Matching funds are available from $10,000 to $150,000 and require a private sector partner providing at least a 2:1 cost match investment (cash and in-kind). There is no due date for the External Matching Grant Program and proposals are accepted year-round. Proposals are evaluated until annual funds are fully committed. Project descriptions of successful proposals from previous years are listed below.
Since 1996, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council has partnered with more than 250 companies on 800 research projects. The Council's investment of more than $50 million has contributed to more than $170 million in total research that has been used to retain more than 1,500 graduate and doctoral students.
Focus Areas: The high technology focus areas of the Council are based on key strengths of the universities, and include:
If you have additional questions, contact your College Dean or our office. If you are a private business and are interested in participating with a USF research faculty member on an External Matching Grant project, please contact our office.
A key component to attracting, retaining and growing high tech industry is developing the workforce to support it. As such, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council's second initiative, Workforce Development, strives to equip Corridor employees and students with high tech skills through innovative programs.
The Florida High Tech Corridor Council Workforce Committee is comprised of representatives from workforce organizations, universities, community colleges, economic development organizations and corporations from the 23 Corridor counties. The committee meets regularly to propose, review and approve a variety of workforce projects relevant to enhancing the skills associated with employees and potential employees needed to diversify the region's economy. Organizations that have received written approval from the Florida High Tech Corridor must complete the Workforce Project Form.
Learn more about the Florida High Tech Corridor Council by visiting http://FloridaHighTech.com and or take a virtual tour of the Florida High Tech Corridor at http://visitthecorridor.com.
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