Scripps News Florida

South Florida still attracting biotechnology companies.

Scripps News Florida — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 03:17:15 +0000

Even with the ever-increasing price of housing in West Palm Beach in South Florida, a national relocation firm recently stated

“Biotech companies still see South Florida as an attractive location to relocate”

With no personal income tax in Florida and an international flavor, more firms will follow the few that have already made the move.

Companies from abroad now see the new Scripps Research Institute located in Palm Beach County, as a much better proposition than San Francisco and La Jolla’s Research Institute, where houses price are considerably more expensive than in the South Florida’s TRI state area.

It was noted recently by John Boyd of The Boyd Co. Inc. of Princeton, N.J. that a hypothetical biotech facility based in Palm Beach County with 200 employees would cost in the range of $17.7 million, compared with $22.4 million in San Francisco.

No wonder companies are still coming with all the advantages that Florida has to offer, and the favorable climate Gov Jeb Bush has created for those wanting to move here.

The University of Miami gains two of the world’s best Scientists.

Scripps News Florida — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 02:02:52 +0000

Acclaimed geneticists Jeffrey Vance, Ph.D., M.D., and Margaret Pericak Vance, Ph.D. Both pioneers in the research of the “origins of diseases” will move to the University of Miami from Duke University. Where they have already discovered significant clues about the origins of diseases. Such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s to mention but a few.

As we watch this continuing influx of top scientists arriving in Florida, one can hardly imagine what will happen in the up coming years. As we watch the new Scripps Research center in Palm Beach gain momentum and continue its expansion across South Florida.

Scripps eastern expansion is well underway with its research facility on the FAU campus, adding a second lab last month. Harry Orf, Scripps vice president said, “This building will allow us to do recruitment,” and “Just as important, this will allow us to continue to grow and develop our scientific programs up to a point where we can transfer them into a permanent facility.”

Scripps Florida will be required to employ more than 500 people in return for the $369 million in research funding it is receiving from the state and county.

County Chair Tony Masilotti Resigns Effective Immediately

Scripps News Florida — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 01:00:28 +0000

This year we have seen four South Florida Politicians resign amid investigations the latest Tony Masilotti wrote, “I have fallen short and made serious mistakes of judgment for which I take full responsibility,”

His family is understood to have received $1.3 million From South Florida’s Water Management District in a deal to purchase land in Martin County back in 2003.

Tony Masilotti was one of the deciding votes to seal the fate of Boca Raton’s bid for the Scripps Research Institute. Which is now located in Jupiter.

A replacement Commissioner is to be elected Nov 7 in the upcoming elections, Vice Chair Addie Green is likely to replace Tony Masilotti as the County Chair.