$17M for NeoCity, $4.1M to Valencia’s robotic learning program
Just weeks after announcing the details of a federal Department of Defense advanced packaging contract potentially worth up to $289 million, Osceola County released details of a award from the state of Florida to develop more technical laboratory space at the NeoCity technology campus.
The $17.5 million from the state’s Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, according to a county release will, “Support the development of a state-of-the-art, multi-use lab … This facility is critical to the technology roadmap for NeoCity, providing a unique asset to the campus that will draw established businesses and start-ups to the ecosystem.”
The County expects hundreds of direct and indirect high-paying jobs to be created in Osceola County because of this investment.
As part of the state and Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office announcing over $28 million in awards around the state to expand its semiconductor and chip manufacturing industries, Valencia College also received a grant — $4.17 million to expand its Robotics and Semiconductor Technician program. The school will be presenting a tour of the facility Monday to officials and the media.
School officials say the funds will enable it to double the number of students it can train to use the unique equipment use in the semiconductor industry. Graduates then become certified for jobs that can pay $21-27 per hour, the school said.
The NeoCity lab will be the fifth building at the growing tech farm that has “elbow room.” The Center for Neovation houses a microelectronics fabrication facility; magnet high school NeoCity Academy is in the process of expanding; a 100,000 square-foot office building was the most recent facility built; and the Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility will also be built as part other outside funding.
“Less than two months ago Governor DeSantis called for Job Growth Grant Fund applications to strengthen Florida’s semiconductor manufacturing industry and to enhance its workforce — our partners in economic development and workforce education around the state responded overwhelmingly,” Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly said at the Nov. 21 announcement of the state grants. “These awards provide more education options for the learner’s benefit and ensure that crucial industries have qualified and eager candidates interested in working in their field.
“NeoCity is a key component to ensuring the state’s growing semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem and proving a pathway for qualified and eager candidates interested in working in this field.”
Florida is already ranked fifth in the U.S. for semiconductor manufacturing jobs and third in the nation for semiconductor establishments, according to FloridaCommerce.
In addition to the Department of Defense contract, last year, Osceola County and its partners were recipients of a $50.8 million grant from the federal Build Back Better Regional Challenge. Osceola, NeoCity, BRIDG and Skywater Technologies, partners in bringing in the country and world’s best nanotechnology companies and minds to the area, are also in the running for a National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines grant, which could be worth ten times that.
