This Thursday will be the Association of Florida Colleges 2025 Success Summit and the Helios Education Foundation and the Association for Florida Colleges (AFC) will unveil an economic impact report revealing how Florida’s 28 state colleges generate billions in added earnings, revenues, and savings for students, taxpayers, and the state.
President Georgia Lorenz, Chair of the Florida College System Council of Presidents and leader at Seminole State College, will present new data showing that this positively affects the economic impact on local municipalities.
“Florida’s colleges collectively contribute more than $56 billion to the state’s economy and supports 1 in every 24 jobs,” said President Lorenz.
Some of the insights that will be shared:
How the Florida College System Drives Economic Growth and Workforce Readiness.
Why affordability and access remain top priorities for students and communities.
The system’s role as a “bridge to opportunity” for Floridians.
With the report being released this week, it will showcase how the Florida College System fuels economic growth, supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, and delivers a strong return on investment for individuals, communities, and Florida’s economy.
The Florida College System is a pivotal engine of opportunity in the state. Serving more than 650,000 students each year, Florida’s colleges ensure education after high school is accessible to students in every corner of the state. It strengthens communities historically underserved by economic progress, builds a robust talent pipeline for the workforce, and creates a ripple effect that fuels local businesses and the state’s long-term prosperity. This new report quantifies that impact, demonstrating how Florida’s colleges deliver billions in economic gains for Floridians.
The Helios Education Foundation exists to support postsecondary attainment for all students in Arizona and Florida, with a particular emphasis on low-income and historically underrepresented communities. Driven by our fundamental beliefs of Community, Equity, Investment, and Partnership, Helios has invested more than $350 million in partnerships and initiatives focused on improving education outcomes in the two states we serve. Learn more at helios.org.
