CF receives state funding to help bring nursing building to fruition

In this file photo, students walk to their next class under the bell tower at the College of Central Florida in Ocala on August 31, 2021. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2021.

The College of Central Florida announced last week that it will be moving forward with plans for a new nursing education center, due largely to support from the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The $109.9 billion Florida state budget approved by the governor on June 2 included $13.65 million for a Health Science Technology Education Center at the Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road, as well as other financial support.

“We appreciate the support of the Legislature, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Department of Education in providing funding that will support our students and community,” said Jim Henningsen, CF president. “We have been recognized and rewarded for leveraging resources from our partners and reallocating our existing resources to modernize and expand critically needed workforce programs.”

“Our collaborations are ensuring win-win-win solutions for our students, team, business partners and community,” Henningsen added.

The new Health Science Education Center will provide modern classrooms and labs for the Associate Degree in Nursing program and allow the program to expand to meet workforce needs.

Site work and infrastructure are in place, according to the press release, and building construction is scheduled to begin in mid-2023 with anticipated completion by Fall 2024. The project has also been awarded additional funding by the Marion County Board of County Commissioners and the Marion County Hospital District.

Additional funding approved by the governor will support operational expenses for new health science programs, slated to begin in 2023; new positions to support critical needs within the college; and maintenance repair and renovations projects which will provide for ensuring health safety and ADA (Americans Disabilities Act) compliance.

In addition, the CF Foundation received $150,000 to support educational outreach at the Appleton Museum.

To learn more about CF, visit www.CF.edu.