Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: April 21, 2026
TO: Mayor Jerry L. Demings and County Commissioners
THROUGH: Roseann Harrington, Chief of Staff
FROM: Dennis Holste, Director of Economic Development
CONTACT: Jessica Kinkle, Administrative Assistant
PHONE: 407-836-7366
DIVISION: Office of Economic, Trade and Tourism Development
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approval and execution of First Amendment to Consortium Funding Agreement for the National Entrepreneur Center Between Orange County, Florida and The University of Central Florida to authorize the advance payment of eight remaining annual consortium installments of $300,000 each, totaling $2.4 million, for the purpose of supporting the Center’s relocation to Creative Village. (Office of Economic, Trade and Tourism Development)
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PROJECT: Amendment to the Consortium Funding Agreement for the National Entrepreneur Center between Orange County, and the University of Central Florida Board of Trustees.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this amendment is to allow Orange County to provide an advance payment of the eight remaining annual consortium installments scheduled for FY 2026/27 through FY 2033/34. These installments, totaling $2,400,000, represent the balance of the County’s obligated support under the National Entrepreneur Center’s (NEC) 2024-2034 agreement term. The proposed pre-payment will accelerate the NEC’s transition into its new facility within Creative Village and enable completion of critical infrastructure necessary to deliver countywide hybrid entrepreneurial training, coaching, and small business support services. This action supports the 23-year public-private partnership originally established by Orange County, Disney Worldwide Services, and the University of Central Florida to sustain a small regional business resource center that houses resident and affiliate partners who provide business technical support to entrepreneurs.
BUDGET: The advance payment will be made in one lump-sum payment of $2,400,000 within 30 days of the execution of this agreement. If the NEC does not transition to Creative Village, the lump sum payment will be returned to Orange County within 60 days of receipt of written notice from the County and the County would then continue to provide annual payments. In recognition of Orange County’s financial contribution to the new facility, the NEC will name a conference room in the facility after Orange County Government.