UPDATE: UF partnership a community effort

Over the next five years, Sarasota County will pay out $1 million to fuel an academic partnership that stakeholders say could transform the local economy.

This morning, county commissioners approved a partnership with the University of Florida to open an “Innovation Station,” in which the school’s Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering can partner with local schools and businesses in an ambitious economic development initiative. The funds will help pay for office space and three employees.

“For approximately the last 18 months we’ve been trying to make this a reality,” said Jeff Maultsby, the county’s director of business and economic development. “And today is the day.”

Programs include a pipeline connecting State College of Florida with UF allowing students to work two years at the smaller school before transferring, the opportunity for local business leaders to speak to UF classes and allowing local businesses to use UF technology and facilities, among other initiatives.

Trey Lauderdale, CEO of Sarasota-based Voalte and UF graduate, spearheaded the effort from the private sector, along with Sun Hydraulics CEO Al Carlson and HuB founder Rich Swier, Maultsby said. While Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota President and CEO Mark Huey’s chance meeting with a UF official sparked conversations. 

“It’s folks like you that make this county great,” Commissioner Christine Robinson said to Lauderdale from the dais.

Maultsby said the partnership will curb the “brain drain,” which happens when high-talent students leave the community, attract more talent from elsewhere and even land new tech businesses in the area. 

Since talks began, leads from Enterprise Florida about new businesses looking at Sarasota County for a potential move have increased, he said.

“I don't think we've voted on something in my 16 months any more pleasant than this,” said Chairman Alan Maio.

Earlier: Sarasota County is on the verge of an agreement with a large state school that officials say will lure tech companies to the area and bolster the local economy.

On Friday, county commissioners will meet for a special session to consider funding an educational engineering center run by the University of Florida with a $1 million grant to be paid over the next half-decade. The school’s Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering will use the so-called “Innovation Station” to partner with local companies, K-12 schools and the start-up community.

The school will use the money to help lease a 1,500-square-foot office and hire a local Innovation Station director, and two coordinators, according to the grant agreement. UF is offering up another $1 million to support the overall $3 million budget for the project.

The Innovation Station would connect UF graduates with local firms, allow local companies access to school technology and facilities and offer training for local students, among other outreach services.

According to a memo from Sarasota County Economic Development Corp. President and CEO Mark Huey, officials with UF, the county and the local business community have been discussing the program for 18 months.

“(The Innovation Station) will serve as a ‘concierge’ service for our existing tech businesses to access the college’s innovation assets of students, faculty, research, intellectual property and other resources,” Huey wrote in the March 16 memo. “The Station will also better position the county to attract innovation economy businesses to the county.”