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Moffitt pondering expansion options

Pasco is in play, but the cancer center also is eyeing the USF area and other locations in Hillsborough County.

By DAVID DeCAMP
Published October 12, 2006

WESLEY CHAPEL - The H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute could add "dozens, if not hundreds" of well-paying jobs if it builds a facility in fast-growing southeastern Pasco County, a top executive said Wednesday.

Tampa's Moffitt is considering building a facility that could include a cancer research center, outpatient services and office space, said Jack Kolosky, Moffitt's executive vice president for planning and finance.

One potential site is the Wiregrass Ranch area in Pasco, where 16,000 homes as well as offices and retailers are already planned near State Road 54 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. It would be a coup for a county of bedroom communities trying to build a high-income job base.

But Kolosky also said Moffitt is eyeing other locations near the University of South Florida - where Moffitt's main facility is - and elsewhere in Hillsborough County.

He declined to say specifically where, but state Sen. Victor Crist said Moffitt has looked along the U.S. 301 corridor. Moffitt is considering buying up to 200 acres, said Crist, R-Tampa, whose district includes the potential sites in both counties.

"Their preference is to remain where they are now," said Crist. Given the chance to keep all of Moffitt's work close, Crist said he will "do everything I can do to assist them in the university area."

But finding affordable and accessible land has been a challenge, prompting Moffitt to look at Pasco.

Kolosky refused to discuss specifics about the size of land and cost of the project because the site selection process is not finished.

"At this point, I don't know if I can be real definite," he said.

In part, the size and specifics of the Moffitt project could be determined by which site is selected, Kolosky said.

"Part of the site selection process is trying to determine the proximity and what the land is needed for," Kolosky said.

Moffitt has also talked to state and Pasco officials about financial incentives, but Kolosky declined to elaborate on most details.

Up to $15-million in county incentives was discussed with a Moffitt representative, Pasco County Attorney Robert Sumner told the St. Petersburg Times earlier this week. The county, in turn, reached out to local legislators for help. Sumner spoke to lawmakers about possibly writing a bill exempting the Moffitt project from some development review requirements.

Kolosky did say Pasco County's potential support could come in various forms, such as impact fee credits. Moffitt would likely seek state incentives as well.

State economic development officials have dubbed Moffitt's idea Project Bold. Gov. Jeb Bush has targeted biomedical and high-tech industries for recruitment, helping land them with expensive incentive packages.

A potential source of state money is Florida's Innovation Incentive Fund. State Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, said about $23-million is available from the $200-million pot originally set aside. Fasano and Crist said it would be an appropriate source to tap.

But Crist said Moffitt would take support from as many sources as possible, so it's likely "different pots of gold" would be combined. Once the cancer center measures the costs and revenue, he said, Moffitt would move beyond studying whether the project is feasible.

Moffitt's growth is driving the talk of expansion, Kolosky said. The cancer treatment and research center, which is considered among the nation's elite, has increased its staff between 5 and 15 percent each year. It now has more than 2,500 employees.

"We really don't have any place to grow at the campus," Kolosky said.

Kolosky said Moffitt has set no deadline for a decision, although it has "moved at a quick rate" so far.

"It all depends on the bottom line," Crist said.

Times staff writer Jodie Tillman contributed to this report.

[Last modified October 15, 2006, 10:38:35]