US PROJECT t Room to Grow
by Aaron London
“ downtown ” area with shopping and services . “ What started as an innovation district has now transformed into medical technology and innovation .”
Holland cited the Research Triangle in North Carolina as an example of how the medical nexus idea can flourish .
“ It started with the offerings of a university system and what came out of that was different tech firms that were based out of the research concept ,” she said . “ We can offer that to companies that are looking to grow or expand , taking advantage of not only the workforce development that is going to come out of UNF MedNexus but also the innovation and entrepreneurship we are trying to tap into .”
Lox said the collaboration between the university and its partners – including a nursing simulation lab from AdventHealth and teaching facility from Allete Energy through Douglas Properties in Town Center , will result in the first courses offered at the medical nexus in early 2021 and the first nursing cohort to begin in the fall of 2021 .
The project also got a boost from the State of Florida after legislators approved and Gov . Ron DeSantis signed an appropriation of $ 24 million for the first year . Lox said the MedNexus project timeline has a four-year initial implementation plan , dependent on state funding and private partnership support .
The project has Palm Coast officials excited about the future of Town Center and the region .
“ I think it ’ s a game-changer for the whole community ,” said Jason DeLorenzo , Palm Coast chief development officer . “ When you have a university system come into your community , it just makes a huge difference .”
DeLorenzo said , since the MedNexus project was announced last year , the city has had two meetings with “ significant players ” that want to be in the Town Center area .
“ I think when you get the university here , you are going to have spinoffs that can use those highly qualified students who are going to be coming out of the system ,” he said . “ It ’ s going to quickly build up the Town Center area .”
Lox said the partnership with Palm Coast is vital to the project ’ s success .
“ The relationship with Palm Coast is very important as this was the first UNF MedNexus partnership and a critical one for expanding programs into Palm Coast ,” he said .
DeLorenzo was more succinct with his assessment of the MedNexus project and its potential impact on the city and Flagler County .
“ It ’ s going to be fantastic ,” he said .
Aaron London is a reporter and columnist who has covered business and economics for 27 years . He has worked for newspapers in Ohio and Florida and is also an adjunct professor of journalism at Daytona State College .
MARCH 2021 | 17 |