Gov. Rick Scott on Monday announced awarding more than $18 million for six projects in the state through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, including $3.6 million for a Center of Advanced Technology and Innovation at State College of Florida in Bradenton.
SCF filed the request last fall, and toward the end of the year officials were hopeful but unsure if they would receive the requested funding. The remainder of the project would be paid for by SCF's own funds of $4.5 million.
After Monday’s announcement, they are now full speed ahead on plans.
“I would say the response was hopeful, excited and proud,” said Todd Fritch, Manatee-Sarasota executive vice president.
SCF officials will now work on the planning phase and put together an implementation plan. Fritch said the project would not be completed sooner than 2020 due to construction being done at the previous SCF library, which will be transformed into the Center of Advanced Technology and Innovation.
“The renovations will make progress as we go,” he said.
The new space will have a coding technology academy, video, university partnership center and augmented reality and creative studio, according to a proposal.
