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East Central / Space Coast: Building on Strength
Simulation and life sciences join aviation/aerospace as anchors for this region's diverse economy.
Demographics for the East Central/ Space Coast Region can be found at Business Florida's interactive map of Florida. |
East Central/ Space Coast Resources: Universities/Colleges • Beacon College • Bethune-Cookman College • Brevard Community College • Daytona State College • DeVry University • Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University • Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences • Florida Institute of Technology • Florida Technical University • Full Sail University • Lake Sumter Community College • Rollins College • Seminole Community College • Stetson University • University of Central Florida • Valencia Community College Airports Seaports |
Add to that a growing presence in life sciences and biotechnology, with plans for a “medical city” in the huge Lake Nona development near Orlando International Airport and an increased focus on “economic gardening” — fostering companies that can grow and create jobs.
Emerging Medical City
At the 7,000-acre Lake Nona development in southeast Orlando, a “medical city” is rapidly taking shape. Projects scheduled to open in the next several years include:
- Burnham Institute for Medical Research — East Coast headquarters of the
La Jolla, Calif.-based laboratory - The University of Central Florida (UCF) College of Medicine — opening in fall 2009 with an inaugural class of 40
- Nemours Children’s Hospital — a 95-bed specialty pediatrics hospital and clinic
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center — includes a 134-bed hospital, nursing home and outpatient clinic
- University of Florida Research Facility — a partnership with Burnham Institute to study diabetes, aging, genetics and cancer
- MD Anderson Orlando Cancer Center Research Institute — sister facility to the Houston-based hospital ranked tops in the nation for cancer care
Healthcare Hub: Cutting-edge medical facilities already at home in Orlando/Orange County include:
Florida Hospital Orlando — ranked one of “America’s Best Hospitals” by U.S. News & World Report for 10 consecutive years.
Global Robotics Institute — using robot-assisted laparoscopic technology for urological, gynecological, colorectal and cardiac procedures.
Nicholson Center for Surgical Advancement — providing long-distance training in intricate surgical procedures via teleconferencing.