Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/83317
YEAR IN REVIEW 2010-2011 FHTCC ANNUAL REPORT Dear Fellow Floridians: The work of developing a stronger economy built on jobs for knowledge workers in a broad scope of high tech industry requires teamwork. Across the Florida High Tech Corridor Council's 23-county region, we have seen this kind of partnership thrive in the last year. Not only is this a partnership between three great research universities – the University of Central Florida, the University of South Florida and the University of Florida – but one which involves community and state colleges, economic development and workforce organizations, and the communities and industries they serve. When we began this adventure nearly 16 years ago, I can clearly remember industry executives who were stunned by an attitude many had never seen before … not only willingness but an enthusiasm on the part of academic leaders to partner with the private sector. Over those years, that has grown into a passion. Our signature Matching Grants Research Program (MGRP) has seen incredible growth since it began by engaging more and more company, faculty and student researchers in helping industry solve problems central to its future. We have now worked with more than 350 companies on more than 1,200 projects. University researchers partnered with 64 Corridor companies this year … including nine participating for the first time. In 15 years, the MGRP has leveraged nearly $57 million into an impressive return 68 florida.HIGH.TECH 2012 of $784 million in quantifiable downstream impacts … more than 2,700 student and faculty research positions, and a broader economic impact that has been projected to exceed more than $1 billion. That kind of increased interest in our research programs says many things to me … not the least of which is growing recognition of the power of our three universities and hopefully a glimpse of an improving economic outlook for the region. Joining our colleagues of the Tampa Bay Partnership and the Central Florida Partnership, we are excited to focus on regional issues of strategic planning and growth to assure that as we succeed at economic development our communities will remain great places to live, to raise families and do business. Tampa Bay's Regional Business Plan and Central Florida's "Open for Business" coalition are meaningful to us all. All-in-all, you'll see it has been another busy and productive year in our quest to grow high tech industry and the workforce to support it in our vibrant region. We are proud to serve our communities through research, workforce and marketing partnerships. Best regards, Randy Berridge, FHTCC President