City of Winter Haven to Contribute up to $50K per Year for Three Years for Southeastern University Expansion
by James Coulter
To help Southeastern University (SEU) expand into the downtown area, the City of Winter Haven will be contributing up to $50,000 per year for three years for the expansion.
At their regular meeting on Mon. Sep. 22, Winter Haven city commissioners voted 4-0 to approve a contribution agreement with SEU. Commissioner Bradley T. Dantzler abstained from voting due to a conflict of interest.
The agreement would help facilitate the expansion of SEU, whose main campus is located in Lakeland. SEU plans on expanding its services to downtown Winter Haven by occupying the upper floor of the recently renovated Exchange Building, located at 250 Magnolia Avenue SW.
To assist with the expansion, the agreement will have the Citycontribute up to $50,000 per year for three years to SEU. During that time, SEU will be expected to achieve certain performance metrics “related to [its] commitment, community presence, student growth, educational programming, and community engagement,” wrote Eric Labbe, Economic Opportunity and Community Investment Director.
“The financial impact associated with this Contribution Agreement is up to $50,000 per year for 3 fiscal years, [a total maximum contribution of] $150,000,” Labbe wrote.
