Press Release NACCE National Community Engagement Tour
Contact: Beth Kerly
Sr. Director, Marketing & Communications | 813-732-8470 | kerly@nacce.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
National Collaboration Tour Spotlights Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Community Colleges
[Cary, NC] - April 2023–The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship
(NACCE) has announced the launch of a National Collaboration Tour, a nationwide celebration
of community colleges and their collaborations to support local economies, with stops in ten
cities and 6 states during 2023.
Throughout the Tour, NACCE will partner with community colleges and their local partners to
showcase the innovative programs and initiatives that are driving economic growth in
communities across the country. The Tour will provide a platform for collaboration, sharing best
practices, and exploring new ideas for strengthening and showcasing entrepreneurship and
innovation at the local level. Tour stops in April include a student entrepreneurship showcase
and press conference in Orlando, Florida (planned in concert with the Florida High Tech
Corridor) and a visit to Tallahassee Community College Wakulla Environmental Institute to learn
about TCC’s Smart Farming and drone programs. Also highlighted is TCC’s Oyster Aquaculture
nurseries and the amazing work taking place in the Apalachicola region with groundbreaking
oyster aquaculture domes that have changed the environment and helped build over 150 new
businesses.
"Community colleges are at the forefront of innovation and entrepreneurship in America," said
Rebecca Corbin, President, and CEO of NACCE. "Tour stops will showcase the talent of
America’s community college students who lighting up local economies and providing workforce
solutions through high tech, agriculture, and Main Street startups that are supported by college
faculty and mentors."
The Tour will feature a series of events, including press conferences, local business tours,
student business highlights, signing of a Collaboration Pledge, and networking opportunities.
Attendees will have the chance to learn about cutting-edge programs in areas such as STEM
education, workforce development, and the skilled trades spearheaded by NACCE.
"As an organization dedicated to catalyzing the work of three research universities, community
and state colleges throughout a 23-county region, as well as industry, government and
nonprofits to accelerate innovation and drive high-tech entrepreneurship, we’re excited to
partner with NACCE and to be part of the National Collaboration Tour,” said Paul Sohl, CEO of
the Florida High Tech Corridor. “What a great opportunity to spotlight the positive impact
community colleges are having on regional economies across America.”
The NACCE Collaboration Tour will kick off on April 13, 2023 in Orlando, and will continue
throughout the year, visiting communities across the country. The tour culminates in Nashville,
TN at the NACCE Annual Conference on October 29. For more information, visit nacce.com
About NACCE: The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) is
a 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship through community colleges.
NACCE provides resources and support to help community colleges build and sustain
high-impact entrepreneurship programs. For more information, visit nacce.com.
About Florida High Tech Corridor: An economic development initiative of three research
universities – the University of Central Florida, the University of South Florida and the University
of Florida – The Corridor converges and catalyzes the capacity of high tech, innovation and
bright minds across a 23-county region to generate a global ripple effect that advances the lives
of people in the communities it serves. Powered by an ethos of collaboration, The Corridor
aligns opportunities and resources in academia, industry and economic development to unleash
the region’s exponential potential.
Connect with The Corridor on LinkedIn and Twitter. Learn more at http://floridahightech.com/
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