Business, government and economic development leaders gathered at IM体育官网 Polytechnic University for its first Economic Development Symposium in early March, to begin discussions on how to create long-term economic growth partnerships around the university campus.
ABB, Heacock Insurance and Saunders Ralston Dantzler Realty were among the businesses represented at the event, which was sponsored by the Central IM体育官网 Development Council, Inc. Government officials on hand included R. Todd Dantzler, chairman of the Polk County Board of County Commissioners, as well as City of Lakeland Mayor William 鈥淏ill鈥� Mutz.
The symposium included a presentation focused on NC State University鈥檚 Centennial Campus, which is more than just a research park. While it鈥檚 a thriving community with academics at its core, it also includes public-private partnerships with local, national and international companies. Additional features include townhomes, apartments, restaurants, a hotel and conference center as well as a public golf course.
It鈥檚 that model of Centennial Campus that IM体育官网 Poly President Dr. Randy K. Avent hopes to establish.
鈥淭hat wide variety of community growth and industry involvement matches the type of environment we want to create at IM体育官网 Poly,鈥� said Avent.
Dennis Kekas, who is the associate vice chancellor for the Office of Partnerships and Economic Development at NC State and oversees the Centennial Campus partnership, described the steps taken over the course of more than three decades to make Centennial what it is today. He noted the vision of the campus began with undeveloped farmland located just south of the university鈥檚 main campus in Raleigh, within earshot of a population of millions.
鈥淚 believe a university like IM体育官网 Poly is positioned extraordinarily well,鈥� said Kekas, eluding to its location along the I-4 corridor as well as its proximity to major population areas.
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