$100 Million Centers of Excellence Initiative Proposed for Florida

In his fourth State of the State Address, Governor Jeb Bush outlined a new $100 million university-based initiative focused on nanotechnology and biotechnology.



"I propose that we dedicate $100 million to create the Florida Technology Development Initiative. This initiative will build centers of excellence among our universities dedicated to the key research necessary for building our promising technology sectors. New facilities, laboratories, and endowed academic chairs will be the catalysts for entrepreneurial investment. If we build it, they will come. If we seize this opportunity, the best and the brightest academics, researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs will call Florida home. And they in turn will help build businesses that will fuel our economy for the next century," Gov. Bush said.



The Governor's written budget request provides more details on the proposal:

A new and important technology-related initiative that the Governor is proposing focuses on developing Florida as a key center for biotechnology and nanoscience activity...Governor Bush recommends that Florida move forward with a plan to establish an infrastructure of nanobiotechnology research, utilizing the state's university system as the foundation in tandem with establishing commercial partnerships in this field. Development of biotechnology/nanoscience capability in Florida will allow the state to attract top-flight scientists and researchers, which in turn will attract research capital and ultimately lead to new high-paying jobs associated with the advancement of this technology and the production and marketing of related products.

The Governor's State of the State Address and budget request is available at: http://www.state.fl.us/eog/