Osceola County commissioners approved two projects at their Monday meeting that would further the county’s NeoCity developments.
The first is a contract and development agreement with SM NeoCity Developer, LLC, to build NeoCity’s City Center — a business, entertainment, residential, and community center within the core of its technological campus on the south side of U.S. Highway 192 east of Kissimmee. The project would develop space set aside for retail, restaurants, office and residential spaces and a proposed performing arts center.
The development team of New York City-based Edward J. Minskoff Equities and Sciame Construction, which formed SM NeoCity Developer, first shared this vision with the county in the summer of 2022, offering a “live-work-play” concept that would support the technological operations going on at NeoCity among corporations researching and developing nanoelectronics — the tiny chips that run many of today’s devices. It would provide a “downtown” concept for those who work — and could live once the project takes shape — at NeoCity, while also being a destination for all area residents with food, shopping and cultural options.
The county entered an agreement with Korean consortium DSUS, in December 2021 to develop a 25-acre parcel of NeoCity called “Phase I”. Frank Sciame, CEO of Sciame Construction and a principal with DSUS — who attended Monday’s meeting — bought the rights to the project, and the companies involved will pay for the construction, along with paying $565,000 per acre for some of the land the project will be built on, in exchange for tax credits.
"This Agreement is a milestone in advancing the vision of Osceola County to create a world-class destination at NeoCity that incorporates all the components of a 21st Century city, built on timeless principles of quality, ready to support innovation and economic growth for the future,” Sciame said.
“We applaud the county’s vision in attracting companies in the semiconductor space. This project is uniquely positioned to capitalize on the pressing, immediate need to move chip manufacturing into the U.S. and diversify the county’s economy.”
NeoCity is currently home to the Center for NeoVation, housing a handful of tech companies, and the newly-expanded Osceola County School District’s NeoCity Academy, which works with those companies to create students skilled to work there.
The other project approved Monday is a purchase-and-development agreement with AdventHealth for 20 acres at what’s been dubbed “NeoCity South”, near the future location of a new St. Cloud Florida’s Turnpike interchange at Nolte Road. That’s also adjacent to where the southern extension of Cross Prairie Parkway will connect Tohoqua and Kindred to the growing area.
Under the agreement, AdventHealth will build a health care campus that will eventually include a hospital facility that will open with 80 beds with room to expand to 200 beds over an eight-year period.
County officials say the facility would attract top medical talent — and their salaries.
“This investment is poised to bring high-wage jobs and give Osceola residents direct access to premium health care without leaving their community,” a county release issued after Monday’s meeting said.
“Our commitment is to provide world-class care close to home no matter where you live in Central Florida,” said AdventHealth CEO Doug Harcombe. “We’re excited to partner with Osceola County to bring that care to the fast-growing NeoCity South community.”
County Commission Chair Brandon Arrington shared excitement for these private investments being made in the county’s NeoCity plans.
“The vision of NeoCity has always been about creating opportunities for jobs, innovation, and creating a thriving culture,” he said. “By taking this exciting next step, we’re transforming NeoCity not only into a hub for semiconductor and advanced manufacturing technology, but as a destination for business, entertainment, and urban living in the heart of Osceola.
“By making strategic investments and expanding relationships with partners such as AdventHealth, we’re shaping a brighter and healthier future for our residents and visitors.”
