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Scripps Now a Reality

By County Commissioner Karen T. Marcus - District 1

Just about two and one-half years ago, the Scripps Research Institute was envisioned to go on Mecca Farms, surrounded by a cluster of related bio-tech industries.

Then a judge's ruling caused the County to stop construction there. Now, finally, the County and Scripps' board of trustees have approved a new contract – one that will see 100 acres secured for Scripps – 30 acres on Florida Atlantic University's Jupiter campus and 70 acres on the Briger site in Palm Beach Gardens.

Shortly after the 2006 legislature ended, the Florida Cabinet approved the new deal unanimously, and the Scripps board did the same a week later. Now, the scientists already on site in Jupiter will continue working in the temporary buildings until a new building is constructed and that should begin this fall. The new contract also calls for Scripps to remain in the County for 15 years and hire a minimum of 409 employees. Presently, it has 200 employees in Jupiter.

The County is spending approximately $235 million on Scripps land and buildings, and the state is contributing about $369 million for operational expenses. Still with a vision that a "cluster" of related bio-tech businesses will form a hub around Scripps, inter-local agreements have been executed among the County and North County cities that establish a plan to secure 8 million square feet of space for research and development to achieve the economic cluster.

I am privileged to chair the Bioscience Land Protection Advisory Board that consists of the County and five cities: Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, Mangonia Park, Riviera Beach and Lake Park. This group will have a multiplicity of goals including offering these cities incentives such as job creation grants, expedited permitting, traffic concurrency exemptions and housing incentives in order to attract spin-off businesses.

The board is also charged with reviewing applications for rezoning; making recommendations for land development regulations; planning undeveloped land for bio-science use; and assisting in streamlining regulatory procedures.

The Scripps Research Institute here in our County can begin its real work, reach out to academic and business entities and focus on medical research. They have already fostered many positive relationships since being in the community. One example is this summer's collaboration of Florida Atlantic University and Scripps hosting a summer science institute that will allow high school students to stay on site and gain valuable classroom and laboratory experience. At this summer session, Scripps scientists will give lectures on subjects such as Mad Cow disease, obesity and DNA.

Now that the state and County's vision of having Scripps in Palm Beach County is a reality, we all look forward to the economic benefits that the County will reap and the potential for Scripps' scientists to hopefully find cures for many of the world's diseases.