Business and education join forces at SCC'S Center for Economic Development at Heathrow

Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp joined Seminole Community College and local business leaders to open the new SCC Center for Economic Development at Heathrow Wednesday, August 29. In addition to housing SCC's third major location in Seminole County, the facility also includes an economic development suite. A first-of-its-kind public/private partnership, this arrangement is expected to strengthen Central Florida's economic development efforts and produce highly skilled workers to attract high-paying jobs to the area.

"This new Center is a dynamic space for our college and our community to converge, learn, and create," said Dr. E. Ann McGee, president of SCC. "Working with community and corporate leaders, we have created both a premier facility and the very best curriculum to train tomorrow's workforce - today."

In addition to offering state-of-the-art facilities for SCC's construction and digital media programs, as well as some of its core curriculum classes, business leaders expect the Center to heighten the County's economic development efforts. A number of agencies - including the Seminole County Regional Chamber of Commerce, Seminole County Economic Development Department, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, Leadership Seminole and the Metro-Orlando Economic Development Commission - are now located in the new Center.

The new $20 million Heathrow facility is the latest in a $136 million construction/expansion program for SCC. SCC will also open a new $33 million Altamonte Springs Campus in January, 2008 - the College's third campus. SCC's other sites include the original Sanford/ Lake Mary Campus opened in 1966, and the Oviedo Campus opened in 2001.

Pictured above left: SCC President Dr. E. Ann McGee presents Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp with a key to the Center.

Pictured (left to right) are: Ray Gilley, president and CEO, Metro Orlando EDC; Dr. E. Ann McGee, SCC president; Jeff Kottkamp, Florida Lieutenant Governor; Dede Schaffner, SCC board of trustees member; Representative David Mealor; Charles "Chick" Gregg, SCC board of trustees member; and Lisa Michelle Greer, vice chairman SCC board of trustees.