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Florida Power & Light Company donates $100,000 to new USF Sarasota-Manatee Campus Center
 
SARASOTA, FL (March 27, 2006) – Florida Power & Light Co. (FPL) has donated $100,000 to the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee to enhance the new academic campus featuring the latest state-of-the-art technology.  The campus is scheduled to open in the fall of 2006.  In recognition of their donation, the campus courtyard will be named Florida Power & Light Courtyard Plaza at USF Sarasota-Manatee. 

Mel Klein, FPL’s Regional Manager of External Affairs, says the effort at USF Sarasota-Manatee fits into the company’s vision of supporting education and complements the university’s plans in the areas of technology, energy conservation and environmental stewardship. 

 ”FPL has a strong commitment to the communities it serves and that commitment extends to supporting our educational system,” said Klein.  “We are delighted that we can join the Sarasota-Manatee community in developing a first-rate campus poised to provide service to students for many years to come.”

 “We recognize the vital role of education in developing strong communities through an educated work force,” Klein said. “The students attending USF today at Sarasota-Manatee may be valuable FPL employees in the future.  Ultimately, our quality of life benefits in so many ways because we are a university town—and with the new campus, a major university town.” 

Matching funds under the Alec P. Courtelis Facility Enhancement Challenge grant from the Florida Division of Colleges and Universities brings the value of the FPL gift to $200,000. This 100-percent matching grant is a one-time opportunity only available during new construction to provide funds for state-of-the-art technology and enhancements. The USF Foundation, a direct support organization of the university, manages endowed gifts and provides ongoing funds through investment earnings.

The new USF Sarasota-Manatee Campus will be a 100,000-square-foot facility with 24 classrooms; a 190-seat lecture/exhibition hall; seminar and video-conferencing rooms; computer labs; a child care center; student gathering places; faculty and staff offices; a technology and learning center; dining facilities; and training facilities for the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management. Once completed, the academic Center will offer some 800 courses annually in 39 academic programs.

The USF Sarasota-Manatee project furthers FPL’s commitment to community involvement through educational programs.  In recent years, FPL has sponsored educational initiatives on Florida’s west coast including a solar energy system at Sara Scott Harllee Middle School, Manatee County’s magnet school for science and technology located in Bradenton as well as a fuel cell demonstration project at North Port High School, in Sarasota. 

In addition, young students throughout the area have benefited from the energy conservation messages provided in song by FPL’s Captain Conservation.  FPL's Electrifying Experience and Energy Whys are science outreach assembly programs, also for the younger student, presented by renowned science instructor Robert Krampf.  During each school presentation, Mr. Krampf amazes students with a variety of dramatic demonstrations, while explaining the science in everyday language.

Students of all ages can learn about electricity in a fun and entertaining online environment by visiting www.FPL.com.

About FPL  

Florida Power & Light Company is the principal subsidiary of FPL Group, Inc. (NYSE: FPL), nationally known as a high quality, efficient and customer-driven organization focused on energy-related products and services. With annual revenues of more than $10 billion and a growing presence in 26 states, FPL Group is widely recognized as one of the country's premier power companies. Florida Power & Light Company serves 4.3 million customer accounts in Florida. FPL Energy, LLC, FPL Group's wholesale electricity generating subsidiary is a leader in producing electricity from clean and renewable fuels. Additional information is available on the Internet at www.FPL.com, www.FPLGroup.com and www.FPLEnergy.com.  

About the USF Sarasota-Manatee 

USF Sarasota-Manatee is an upper-level campus for those with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree interested in pursuing a baccalaureate or master’s degree, professional certification, or continuing education credit. The regional campus offers the prestige of a nationally ranked research university with the convenience of a hometown campus, including classes in south Sarasota County at Manatee Community College Venice. 

For more information, visit www.sarasota.usf.edu.