Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

We're available, high-tech firm says

SRI International executives visit the Capitol in search of financial incentives for a research facility in the Tampa Bay area.

By LETITIA STEIN
Published April 20, 2006

TALLAHASSEE - Two top executives from a prestigious California research firm visited the Capitol this week urging lawmakers to provide state money for economic development projects, such as the one they might bring to St. Petersburg.

SRI International president and CEO Curtis Carlson stressed his support for an economic development package proposed by Gov. Jeb Bush. The money could be used for financial incentives to entice SRI to open a high-tech research facility in the Tampa Bay area.

In January, Bush came to Tampa to unveil a $630-million business development proposal. Days later, the story broke that the University of South Florida was wooing SRI in largely secret negotiations to expand to a site near the school's St. Petersburg campus.

"The kind of things that are going on in Florida are exactly the things that you need to see," said Carlson, praising Bush's package as among the best he has seen internationally.

As for his interest in a local project, Carlson said: "It's an absolutely beautiful location. The people are great. We've been generally supporting the incentives. We'll see."

The Tampa Bay Partnership, which promotes business development, helped to arrange the meetings for SRI on Tuesday and Wednesday. A number of regional lawmakers heard from Carlson and Len Polizzotto, SRI's corporate vice president for business development and marketing.

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker and USF president Judy Genshaft participated in some of the discussions. In Tallahassee, Baker declined Wednesday to comment on discussions specific to the city, or say with whom they met.

Discussions have reached top levels of state government and could include state money for operating expenses, the St. Petersburg Times has reported.

Lawmakers who heard the funding pitch said the company didn't go into details. But it was clear they were considering a location in south Pinellas County, said Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor.

"I think it's their hope that at some point they might be able to participate as a beneficiary of one of these grants," said Senate President Tom Lee, R-Valrico.

Lee noted that SRI's leaders expressed interest in Bush's proposed $100-million for recruiting world-class scholars; $100-million to develop Centers of Excellence around targeted industries; and $50-million for the Quick Action Closing Fund.

Lawmakers are starting to iron out the final details of a state budget. Pieces of Bush's economic development package are funded at higher levels in the House than in the Senate. But Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, chairman of the panel that funds economic development, expects the picture to change. He is interested in putting more money into the Senate's package. Lee and Fasano also want to establish some oversight for how the money is spent.

Based in Menlo Park, Calif., SRI has been involved in developing key technologies since forming in 1946. Its best-known innovations include the computer mouse in 1964, and what many consider to be the first demonstration of the Internet in 1976.

With or without SRI in the picture, the business community sees state funding as key to Florida's future.

"Without these kinds of tools to do that kind of work, we don't have the ability to start these kinds of programs," said Stuart Rogel, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Partnership, who was working the issue in Tallahassee.

Times staff writer Kris Hundley contributed to this story. Letitia Stein can be reached at lstein@sptimes.com or 850 224-7263.

[Last modified April 20, 2006, 01:48:15]