Contact: Tom Evelyn, UCF News & Information, 407-823-5988,
Brie Turek, Office of the Mayor, 407-246-3106

UCF, Orlando EDC to Present Award to Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer

ORLANDO, Jan. 6, 2006 -- Officials from the University of Central Florida and the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission on Monday, Jan. 9, will present Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer with the University Economic Development Association's 2005 Award of Excellence in Workforce Development.

The award, which will be presented at a 2 p.m. Orlando City Council meeting, recognized the city's crucial role in the development of the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy.

Representatives of UCF and the EDC accepted the award on behalf of all of the partners involved in the project at the UEDA Summit on Higher Education and Economic Development on Nov. 15 in Monterey, Calif. During that presentation, the UEDA praised the unique formation of the graduate video-game development school and the dynamic collaboration between the City of Orlando, UCF, Orange County, the EDC, the state of Florida and Electronic Arts.

The award also recognized the ability of FIEA to be a significant economic development engine for Orlando's burgeoning digital media and interactive entertainment industries, as well as a catalyst for future job diversification in Central Florida.

"UCF President John Hitt and university staff are valuable and dedicated partners in diversifying our economy and growing high-wage, high-quality jobs," said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. "I am confident that with the presence of FIEA in our downtown core, we are successfully launching the next great economic engine for our city."

The initiative helped ensure a local expansion by EA that represents the retention of more than 250 jobs, the creation of more than 150 jobs this fiscal year and a capital investment of $9 million.

"We've said this before, but it was certainly true throughout this project, economic development is a team sport," said Ray Gilley, president and CEO of the EDC. "Each partner played a significant role, from the city providing and renovating the downtown Expo Centre for use by FIEA, to the financial investment made by the state, to EA and UCF's commitment to developing the program's course of study. This has been a tremendous project from start to finish."

FIEA got its start in May 2004, when the Florida Legislature provided $4.2 million in start-up funding. The city leased to UCF the former Expo Centre building, located on Livingston Street across from the TD Waterhouse Centre, in fall 2004. The city and university spent $6 million to overhaul the building and create classrooms and high-tech student work areas. The Expo Centre also houses other programs in the UCF School of Film and Digital Media.

The University Economic Development Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the nation's institutions of higher education and their economic development affiliates. UEDA focuses on policy, practice and partnerships and enhances the interface of higher education and economic development. For more information about UEDA, visit www.universityeda.org.
 

###