This dissertation examines the role of the community college in building institutional capacity within the context of a community’s local and regional economy and provides recommendations on the manner in which the role of the community college can be enhanced with respect to interaction with other urban and regional partners. It seeks to at least partially answer the research question: What role do educational institutions and the community college specifically play in the building of a community’s local and regional economic capacity? This question is worthy of study since building institutional capacity through partnership is increasingly important to the economic development planning practitioner in the achievement of longer term community economic development goals.

In order to substantively examine the research question noted above this dissertation reviews economic development planning as a discipline within the broader urban and regional planning theoretical framework. The theoretical foundations of economic development are examined in both traditional and alternative contexts and an analysis of New “Innovation” Economy precepts is undertaken.

Furthermore, to assist in answering this question, a case study focused on Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Florida examines the impacts of a specific community college and how those impacts can be understood in terms of their local economic development capacity building effects. Santa Fe College operates in several spatial and policy contexts and all are important in revealing opportunities and challenges. Impacts are measured through a review of: (1) adaptive organizational efficiencies; (2) employer surveys; (3) an economic impact analysis assessment; (4) the process undertaken by Santa Fe College over the past year to move forward on state authorization regarding the issuance of two life sciences baccalaureate degrees and their link to local community economic development prospects; and finally, (5) the spatial profile and industrial focus of the College.

Findings indicate that Santa Fe College’s presence within the community does appear to build local economic development capacity and to lead to positive economic impacts. However, there are opportunities for further study and analysis of these impacts in light of the community economic development planning goals and objectives of the greater Gainesville area.