NeoCity Opens New Lab Hub to Boost Tech Growth

The ground‑breaking ceremony for NeoCity’s 30, 000‑square‑foot lab complex took place on a sunny Thursday in Kissimmee. Florida’s Secretary of Commerce, Alex Kelly, joined local officials to mark the start of a project that promises to bring wet‑lab, dry‑lab and cryogenic facilities to the area. Existing tenants such as imec and SkyWater will use the space to expand their semiconductor and advanced packaging work, while new companies can also move in. Osceola County has long depended on tourism and farming. During the pandemic, unemployment hit 31 percent – the third highest in the nation – a fact County Manager Don Fisher highlighted. “We’re moving forward with a modern economic strategy, ” he said, pointing to the new building as a key step. The $22 million project is largely funded by a $17. 5 million grant from the Florida Department of Commerce’s Job Growth Infrastructure Fund. Fisher praised state support, noting that without the grant the facility would not exist. He also mentioned Zing Drone’s upcoming design center and 22 Hybrid, a St. Cloud start‑up that will provide identity‑management solutions to government and healthcare clients, both of which will occupy space on the first floor.Secretary Kelly explained that NeoCity’s semiconductor presence is among the largest in the country, drawing national and international attention. He emphasized the importance of building a supply chain that supports advanced technologies like quantum computing, and thanked local leaders for their commitment to the industry. The new lab is just the first element of NeoCity’s Master Plan for its 480‑acre site, which includes a dedicated power substation. The plan also covers a recent agreement with AdventHealth to develop a 20‑acre health campus in St. Cloud, aiming for an initial 80‑bed hospital that could grow to 200 beds over eight years. Community engagement is part of the vision. A STEM Day event, postponed from February because of cold weather, will be held on Saturday, March 28 from 1–4 p. m. at NeoCity. The day will feature hands‑on activities, interactive stations and a chance to win a tablet, with free pizza for all attendees.