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Orange County opens Innovation Center in Pine Hills with $11 million county investment
Summary
County and federal officials celebrated the ribbon cutting for the Orange County Innovation Center in Pine Hills, a new multi-generational facility funded with $11 million from the county (including $9 million in ARPA funds) and $850,000 in federal community project funding secured by Congressman Maxwell Frost.
Orange County officials on Friday celebrated the opening of the Orange County Innovation Center in Pine Hills, a multi-generational facility county leaders say will offer robotics, workforce training and community programming. County leaders said the project was supported by an $11,000,000 county investment, including $9,000,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds, and federal project funds secured by U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost.
"Orange County's $11,000,000 investment, including 9,000,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding, has helped to transform this vision into reality," Mayor Jerry O'Demings said, praising county staff and partners who worked on the project.
Congressman Maxwell Frost told the crowd he helped secure additional federal support for the center, saying, "you heard the mayor, $9,000,000 in American Rescue Plan, $850,000 in federal community project funding that I helped secure back in 2024 that has helped make this innovation center possible." Frost framed the center as a way to broaden access to innovation beyond traditional tech hubs and to give local students and entrepreneurs tools to develop future businesses and careers.
Commissioner Mike Scott described the project as a long-term community investment and said the broader campus includes roughly 60,000 square feet across three parts, while the new innovation center provides about 20,000 square feet dedicated to hands-on access to robotics, advanced technology, workforce training and collaborative space.
Kunal Patel, the facility manager, said the center remains on a punch list with some equipment and furniture still arriving but emphasized the center will evolve with community input. "It's not totally finished," Patel said, and invited visitors to explore the building and suggest programs and uses that will shape its future.
Pastor Brianna Dupree of Experience Christian Center delivered an invocation asking for blessings on the Pine Hills community and the work that will take place in the facility. Senior public information officer Ezzy Castro and county communications director Jeff Williamson led logistics for the ribbon cutting and a ceremonial countdown.
Officials encouraged attendees to tour the center, provide feedback and participate in upcoming programming as staff complete remaining setup and finalize operations.
