News & Announcements

Kissimmee, Fla. – Osceola County, City of Kissimmee and University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program officials participated in the ground breaking of the UCF Business Incubator–Kissimmee on Thursday, June 24, at the City Centre, 111 E. Monument Avenue.

The University of Central Florida partnered with Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee and Kissimmees Community Redevelopment Agency CRA on the facility that will offer support services to help start-up companies accelerate their growth and generate jobs in downtown Kissimmee.

"This incubator highlights everything that is making downtown Kissimmee a must-visit destination," said County Commission Vice Chairman Brandon Arrington, whose district includes the incubator. "Just around the corner there will be a SunRail stop to help connect us with the rest of the region. Simply put, this incubator delivers on all the planning that has been going on locally and regionally for a number of years to link jobs and transportation in our urban core," added Arrington.

"This is a win-win situation for the City as we partner with UCF and Osceola County. The City is committed to reviving the downtown and attracting more enterprises, such as the UCF Incubator," said Kissimmee Mayor Jim Swan.

The City and County are making matching contributions totaling $405,000 each for three years. Additionally, onetime payments are being made by the City for $57,000 and $183,000 from the CRA for the facilitys build out. The incubator will be managed by the University of Central Florida.

Gordon Hogan, director of operations for the UCF Business Incubation Program, said the new 8,000 square foot facility to be built out on the fourth floor of the City Centre Kissimmee will open in September with office and administration space for promising enterprises selected to join the UCF Business Incubation Program.

Research has shown that 87 percent of incubator graduates are still in business five years after graduating from an incubation program, said UCFs Business Incubation Program Founder/Executive Director Dr. Tom ONeal.

Media Contacts

Osceola County Economic Development Department
Maria G. Toumazos, Economic Development Administrator
407-742-4200
mgru@osceola.org

UCF Business Incubation Program
Gordon Hogan, Director of Operations
407-882-1577
ghogan@mail.ucf.edu

UCF Business Incubation Program
Dr. Tom ONeal, Executive Director
407-882-1120
oneal@mail.ucf.edu

Larry Vershel Communications
Beth Payan or Larry Vershel
407-644-4142
lvershelco@aol.com

City of Kissimmee
Carla Banks, Manager of Communications
407-518-2314
cbanks@kissimmee.org

About the UCF Incubation Program

Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 140 emerging companies including nearly 100 current clients create over $800 million in annual revenue and more than 1600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With eight facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu.