It’s Tuesday, Orlando. A partly sunny start to the day will lead into cloudy skies this evening, with highs of 94° and lows of 75°. Here’s what’s on deck:

• AdventHealth Aims to Open New Freestanding ER in Apopka

• UCF Requests $75M from State to Add Jobs and Expand Programs

Let’s dive in.

HEALTHCARE

AdventHealth Aims to Open New Freestanding ER in Apopka

What's happening: AdventHealth plans to construct a new freestanding emergency room on Kelly Park Road in Apopka, seeking approval to change the land use for the 5.56-acre property it purchased in 2023 for $4.5 million. The proposed facility may also include a medical office building, lab, and retail space.

Why it matters: Apopka's population is projected to grow by 8.46% over the next five years, which could drive higher demand for medical services. This development aligns with a broader trend of health systems, like Orlando Health and HCA Florida, expanding their freestanding ER networks to serve growing communities.

Key details:

• AdventHealth’s Central Florida division includes 17 hospitals and ERs, with a substantial outpatient network.

• The new ER would be close to Orlando Health’s planned 144-bed behavioral health hospital, opening in spring 2025.

• AdventHealth’s existing Apopka hospital, which recently increased its capacity from 120 to 158 beds, also has space to expand within its building to include an additional 40 beds.

Looking ahead: As healthcare needs rise in Apopka, this expansion could help AdventHealth stay ahead of demand and future-proof its position in the local healthcare landscape. The Apopka Development Review Committee will review the land use change on July 31st.

Read more here (Orlando Business Journal)

EDUCATION

UCF Requests $75M from State to Add Jobs and Expand Programs

Driving the news: The University of Central Florida is seeking $75 million from the state to expand its College of Engineering and Computer Science and add nearly 200 jobs.

Why it matters: The funding request aligns with the University’s expected increase in enrollment and aims to bolster UCF’s capacity to support students and faculty and enhance its academic and research capabilities.

Key points:

• Student growth: UCF's engineering college has grown by 1,500 students over two years and plans to add another 1,000 in the next academic year, targeting 20,000 total students.

• Ranking and funding: Currently ranked 45th among public colleges by U.S. News, UCF hopes to soon break into the top 25, seeking increased funding to match other Florida research universities.

• New initiatives: Funding will enable UCF to create over 180 new positions, including 130 faculty in high-tech fields. Key projects include an interdisciplinary Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Technology Institute and an expanded Math Launch initiative.

Next steps: UCF's request will go before the Florida Board of Governors on September 18th, and if approved, it will be submitted to Gov. DeSantis for the 2025-2026 state budget.

Read more here (Orlando Business Journal)

QUICK HITS

In Other News…

1. Olympic swimmer and Florida native Bobby Finke will swim for another gold medal today in Paris, competing in the 800m freestyle final.

2. A federal judge permanently blocked a portion of Florida’s 2022 law, dubbed the “Stop WOKE Act”.

3. After filing for bankruptcy, Conn’s HomePlus will close 10 Central Florida locations and another 63 across the US.

4. The company behind Madame Tussauds Orlando, the Sea Life Orlando Aquarium, and the Orlando Eye is launching an annual pass that allows access to all three attractions. Passes can be purchased online for $149.99.

Thanks for tuning in to today’s edition of the newsletter. See you back here tomorrow.

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