Group wooing research institute

BYLINE: DIANNA CAHN, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Plans to bring Germany's Max Planck Society into Palm Beach County appear to be progressing, with the giant research institute looking at carving out a strategic partnership with the county's new biotech anchor, Scripps Florida, according to a project file created by the Business Development Board.

The confidential file, dubbed "Project Emperor," describes the creation of a Florida Max Planck Institute of Bio-imaging focusing on advancing bio-imaging techniques as well as the scientific research that benefits from this technology.

However, the file doesn't address how such a project would be funded, which could still be a key sticking point in any deal.

The Max Planck Society is a world-renowned research organization with 80 institutes that conduct research in all fields of science.

The plan for Max Planck reveals hopes for a 45,000-square-foot facility on 20 acres in Palm Beach County, and for a decision to be made by the end of 2007. It added that the institute has a 10-year growth plan.

BDB President Kelly Smallridge said talks with Max Planck are still in the early stages, and said that the document was "just a summary of the exploratory stages."

Max Planck officials toured the Scripps site and FAU's Boca Raton research park last year after former Gov. Jeb Bush, who spearheaded the Scripps effort, began negotiations with the Max Planck Society.

But a spokesman for the society, which is in large part funded by the German government, said at the time that financial incentives were key.