Barnett pledges $3 million to Polk State Haines City-Davenport Campus

The Polk State College Foundation has received a generous $3 million pledge from Hoyt R. Barnett for the development of the Polk State Haines City-Davenport Campus.

The College will host a media event to celebrate and provide more details about the donation. Brief remarks and a check presentation will be followed by a tour of the College’s Health Sciences programs, which will be housed at the future Haines City-Davenport Campus.

The funds will be allocated to the College in payments over the next three years, with the final donation to be made in 2026. This comes at a critical time in the College’s history as it recently completed the planning and design phase of the Polk State Haines City-Davenport Campus.

The Barnett family includes father, Barney Barnett, and brothers, Wesley and Nick Barnett, who are longtime supporters of Polk State College and the greater Polk County community. Wesley Barnett’s wife, Ashley Bell Barnett, is a member of the Polk State District Board of Trustees.

“I am pleased to support this new campus which will provide the first public higher education interdisciplinary simulation hospital in Central Florida and expand high-quality education and workforce training in health sciences that are pivotal to our area’s increasing healthcare demands.”

Hoyt R. Barnett

“I am pleased to support this new campus which will provide the first public higher education interdisciplinary simulation hospital in Central Florida and expand high-quality education and workforce training in health sciences that are pivotal to our area’s increasing healthcare demands,” Hoyt R. Barnett wrote in a letter of support to Polk State President Angela Garcia Falconetti.

Polk County is the fifth fastest-growing metro area in the U.S. and is projected to expand by 22% by 2030. The 55 and older population continues to age and increase, presenting a growing need for healthcare. The greatest growth is expected in the 18 and younger age group, presenting the opportunity for skilled professionals to fulfill workforce needs.

Polk State’s presence in Northeast Polk is critical to its mission of providing access to higher education as within a 10-mile radius of the Polk State Haines City-Davenport site:

• 80,000 residents have a high school diploma or some college, but no degree
• 39% of all high school seniors in Polk County reside, and
• 17,000 new jobs are projected in the next decade

This approximately $51 million project will allow for the construction of a 75,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility that will predominately serve health sciences programs and establish Central Florida’s first public higher education interdisciplinary simulation hospital. The campus will also serve students in hospitality and tourism management, supply chain and logistics, and the Associate in Arts degree program.

“With approximately 70% of Polk State students remaining in Polk County after graduation, investments in our College are investments in the economic development and quality of life for our community,” Dr. Garcia Falconetti said. “I am grateful to the Barnetts for their generous support and continued advocacy for Polk State College.”

Polk State began the planning and approval process in 2006 for the Haines City-Davenport site on U.S. 27 adjacent to AdventHealth Heart of Florida, which was purchased in 2009. In 2022 and 2023, the College benefited from $23.8 million in state funding for the planning, design, and start of construction. The College continues to advocate for approximately $25.2 million still needed to open the campus’ doors to students.

Individuals interested in bringing this dream to fruition and donating to the development of the Polk State Haines City-Davenport Campus may visit foundation.polk.edu.