Tom Dowling
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PCC Receives Central FL. Development Council’s George Harris, Jr. Award

9/18/07: Polk Community College received the Central Florida Development Council's George W. Harris, Jr. Award. This is an award of excellence for promoting free enterprise, community service, economic stability, and quality growth. The award was presented Sept. 17 at the CFDC’s annual banquet at the Lakeland Center.

PCC was recognized for its impact on the county’s local economy. David Touchton, chairman of the NCT Group, announced the award. He said, “Economic Development starts with education.”

The college has received a $12 million and 20-acre gift from Clear Springs, he noted. This gift will help in the creation of PCC’s Center for Advanced Global Technology, which will be an integral part of the Clear Springs development in Bartow. The state is expected to match the donation next year.

The Center in Clear Springs will serve as a permanent home for PCC’s Corporate College in 2010. PCC's Corporate College, a key provider of training for business and industry in Polk County, annually trains more than 10,000 employees in the county.

“We are honored to receive the George W. Harris, Jr. Award from the Central Florida Development Council,” said PCC President Eileen Holden. “At PCC, we take seriously our responsibility to make a positive contribution to the community through economic and workforce development initiatives. We look forward to future collaborations with the CFDC and with our municipal economic development councils.”