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Lack of funds forces closing of Drop-In Center

SUN CITY CENTER - Saturday was the final day of Samaritan Services' Drop-In Center in Sun City Center. But at least the center went out with a bang.

"We had to send out for pizza twice," said Doris Ragland, the volunteer director of Samaritan Services. "I guess it went pretty well."

Many regulars turned out for the closing of the Drop-In Center, which for more than a decade has been a place for locals to congregate for coffee, cookies and conversation.

In recent years, though, attendance has dwindled to the point where Samaritan Services simply couldn't afford to keep it open.

"Our expenses were about $1,100 per month," Ragland said. "We needed the money for other things."

Ragland said the group's other services, such as an Alzheimer's support group, a meals on wheels program and transportation services for residents without cars, will still be available.

She said it's unlikely Samaritan Services, which operates solely on donations, will open another Drop-In Center any time soon.

"Not unless we can get someplace real cheap," she said.

BALM - The University of Florida will break ground Tuesday on the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Balm.

The $15-million center, which is part of the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, marks the consolidation of programs now located in Bradenton and Dover. It will house a team of researchers who will study methods for growing ornamental plants, strawberries and vegetables.

Construction should be completed in spring 2005.

The Balm site includes 474 acres donated by Hillsborough County. The county also contributed $422,500 for construction. The rest of the funding comes from the sale of the Bradenton research facility to the Manatee County School Board, which plans to build a high school on the site.