FGCU facility to be built in Babcock Ranch
Florida Gulf Coast University and Babcock Ranch have announced the recently approved Florida state budget includes $21.7 million in phase one funding to support their shared vision of creating a 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, the 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 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.
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.”
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.”