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 Located along the southeast coast of Florida, from Palm Beach to Miami, the non-profit organization InternetCoast focuses on social innovation, entrepreneurship and a knowledge-based workforce in order to facilitate regional economic development. Comprised of technology companies, educational institutions and economic development organizations, the InternetCoast is a regional initiative to cultivate South Florida-the nation's sixth largest metropolitan area-as a leading global science and technology hub. Its goal is to position the region for high value Internet firms define the next Internet trends, which include applications service providers (ASPs) where firms or individuals can access sophisticated software online rather than purchase it.
InternetCoast encourages collaboration among technology companies in the region with local universities. Florida International University and Florida Atlantic University have received generous grants from local firms to attract top technology research talent and establish Internet-based programs and curricula.
InternetCoast focuses on the international aspect of the Internet, with a strong emphasis on Latin America. Viewed as one of the fastest growing Internet markets, Latin American countries are targeted by a number of South Florida Internet firms to provide e-commerce, business-to-business sales, document management and other services. Florida International University is preparing to provide new, expanded Internet services to Latin American universities and think tanks.
A critical contribution of InternetCoast has been in building collaboration among economic development organizations in the South Florida region. Historically, the key economic development players used state and national subsidies to lure companies from their competitors' jurisdictions. InternetCoast uses information technology as the common economic development theme to drive collaborative efforts on transportation and education issues in the region. It has helped capture the attention of business and government leaders to the connections among technology, education, transportation and economic development.
For more information, contact Michael Corbit, Executive Director at .
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