USF Lakeland officials and members of the Tampa Bay Partnership (TBP) met this week in Tallahassee with the Bay Area Legislative Delegation (BALD) to discuss funding for the new USF Lakeland campus at the intersection of I-4 and the Polk Parkway. The Tampa Bay Partnership has made this project its No. 2 priority in the current Legislative session.

“The new USF Lakeland campus will be a key economic driver not only for Polk County and the region but the entire state,” said Stuart Rogel, Tampa Bay Partnership president and CEO. “It will be a one-of-a-kind, state-of-the-art institution that will serve as a catalyst for business attraction and workforce recruitment and help alleviate the brain drain our state is currently experiencing.”

Rep. Seth McKeel (R-Lakeland), newly elected vice-chair of the regional legislative delegation, arranged for Dr. Marshall Goodman, VP and CEO of USF Lakeland, to address BALD's formal meeting Tuesday evening in a hearing room in the Florida Senate. Together the members of the delegation comprise 25 percent of the Florida Legislature.

Goodman urged the Legislature to approve $15 million in Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) funds during this year’s session, saying the funding is "essential" for the future of the new campus.

“By investing $15 million,” he said, “the state has a tremendous opportunity to leverage the nearly $200 million that local public and private entities have invested in this project.”

The PECO allocation has been approved by the State University System's Board of Governors and is included in Gov. Charlie Crist's budget proposal. If approved by the House and Senate, it will return to the Governor's desk for signature. "That," said Goodman, "is our target."

“We are at a critical time in this process,” said Rogel. “Without the $15 million investment from the state, Lakeland and Polk County will lose the land already set aside for this project".

The Tallahassee trip also featured personal meetings between TBP leaders and specific legislators, including Sen. J.D. Alexander (R-Winter Haven), who many have described as "the original champion of this project."

Other meetings included Gov. Charlie Crist, Sen. Paula Dockery (R-Lakeland), Senate President Ken Pruitt (R-Port St. Lucie) and Rep. Dennis Ross (R-Lakeland). Dockery in particular has taken a keen interest in meeting the infrastructure needs associated with the new campus development.

According to Goodman, the TBP/USFL team made personal contact with over two dozen legislators in less than 12 hours in Tallahassee.

Last month, the Tampa Bay Partnership held its Chair’s Leadership Breakfast at USF Lakeland. Speaking to a crowd of more than 100 regional leaders, Rep. Seth McKeel expressed his support for the new campus.

“This project is critical,” he said. “It’s going to be the most important economic development tool Polk County has ever had in its toolbox. This is truly a critical year in the Legislature, and I believe we’re going to get it done.”

According to Steve Scruggs, executive director of the Lakeland Economic Development Council (LEDC), who has promoted economic development in the region for over two decades, "This polytech campus is the most important project of my career."

The LEDC is an economic development partner with the TBP, and Scruggs accompanied the delegation to Tallahassee. Earlier this year, the LEDC showed its support by giving $5 million to USF for the new campus.

The Tampa Bay Partnership is a regional organization encompassing seven counties (Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota) and three metro areas (Tampa/St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Lakeland and Sarasota/Bradenton/Venice). Within that region the partnership works with its partners to market the region nationally and internationally, to conduct regional research and to coordinate efforts to influence business and government issues that impact economic growth and development. Recognized as a regional convener of leaders on regional economic development issues, the Tampa Bay Partnership is a non-profit organization supported by the financial commitments of over 175 private and public organizations.