Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) and Babcock Ranch are proud to announce the recently approved Florida state budget includes $21.7 million in phase one funding to support their shared vision of creating a premier learning, research and outreach facility in Charlotte County. This announcement builds on the formal partnership signed in 2023 between FGCU and Babcock Ranch, which outlined a shared commitment to advancing education, research and sustainable development.

The funding will support the construction of FGCU’s 11th academic building – a state-of-the-art, 125,000-square-foot facility that will house a new institute focused on sustainability and resiliency. Located in Babcock Ranch’s MidTown, this dynamic academic center will offer an immersive experience for both students and researchers. As a nationally recognized model for sustainable development and resilient design, Babcock Ranch is an ideal, real-world setting for the study of renewable energy, water management, mobility systems and sustainable building practices. In addition to the donation of land for the facilities, Kitson & Partners will donate $3 million towards related initiatives in partnership with FGCU.

Creating educational and research facilities has always been part of the broader vision for Babcock Ranch, the nation’s first solar-powered town.

“From our earliest plans, we envisioned a community where lifelong learning would be embedded into everyday life as evidenced by Babcock Schools,” said Syd Kitson, Chairman and CEO of Kitson & Partners. “The arrival of a higher education institution like FGCU brings that vision full circle, offering world-class academic opportunities right here at Babcock Ranch and helping us fulfill our commitment to fostering a community built on knowledge, innovation and purpose.”

The facility will offer learners a full slate of educational opportunities from undergraduate and graduate courses to micro-credential opportunities. It will expand access to dual enrollment for local high school students, offer lifelong learning and cultural programs through FGCU Academy, and support workforce development.

The collaboration reinforces Babcock Ranch’s founding mission to be a place where education, environmental stewardship and innovation converge to serve both current and future generations.

Among FGCU’s schools and colleges tied to this endeavor are:

• Water and environmental research through The Water School
• Agri-tech advancement through the Lutgert College of Business
• Advanced technology and artificial intelligence (AI) via Dendritic: A Human Centered AI and Data Sciences Institute
• Support for aging populations through the Shady Rest Institute on Positive Aging
• Expanded teacher training and student engagement through the College of Education and its work with Babcock Schools

“This investment underscores the strong partnership between FGCU and Babcock Ranch and our shared commitment to sustainability, education and meaningful community impact,” said FGCU President Aysegul Timur, Ph.D. “By expanding access to higher education in rural and fast-growing areas, we are helping to shape a stronger, more resilient Southwest Florida while addressing challenges that resonate far beyond our region.”

Mr. Kitson and Dr. Timur also expressed appreciation for the strong support shown by Governor Ron DeSantis and members of the Florida Legislature, including Senate President Ben Albritton, Speaker Daniel Perez and Representative Tiffany Esposito, whose leadership was instrumental in securing this critical funding. “We are incredibly grateful to Governor DeSantis and our legislative champions who recognized the importance of investing in higher education, cutting-edge technology and sustainable community development,” Timur said.

The new facility will also function as a global hub for collaboration by hosting events and conferences focused on sustainability and resilient community planning. It will also highlight the power of public-private partnerships, creating a platform for bold ideas that can be replicated and scaled beyond Southwest Florida.

“Donating the land to form this partnership with FGCU is one of the most meaningful investments we’ve made, not just in our community, but in the future of Southwest Florida,” said Kitson. “We’re proud to work alongside FGCU to create a hub for learning, innovation and discovery that will benefit our region for generations to come.”

Ongoing updates to the public and university community about this landmark project will be shared as it progresses.

About FGCU:

Located south of Fort Myers and north of Naples on the Southwest Florida coast, Florida Gulf Coast University encompasses 800 acres on which academic buildings, residence halls and athletics facilities share space with wetlands, pinewoods and boardwalks in a natural setting. FGCU serves 16,000 students and offers more than 95 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. It emphasizes a university-wide commitment to sustainability and service-learning, with students having completed more than 5 million hours of service since the university opened in 1997. With six colleges, FGCU is committed to serving Southwest Florida with academic programs designed to meet the workforce demands of the five-county region. To learn more about FGCU, visit www.fgcu.edu.

About Babcock Ranch:

Created by Kitson & Partners with the philosophy that smart growth and sustainability work hand-in-hand, half of Babcock Ranch’s town’s footprint is set aside as greenways, parks and expansive lakes, providing recreation and scenic backdrops for homes and businesses. A top 10 best-selling master-planned community for three consecutive years, the town is planned for 20,000 residences and approximately 6,000,000 square feet of commercial space. Built to Florida Green Building Coalition standards, homes emphasize energy and water conservation and have a full gig of fiber-optic connectivity. Prices range from the upper-$200,000s to $4 million. For more information about Southwest Florida’s new hometown, located just northeast of Fort Myers off Babcock Ranch Road/State Road 31, visit the Woodlea Hall Discovery Center at 42850 Crescent Loop in Babcock Ranch, call 877-709-6620, or visit BabcockRanch.com.