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Bush says SRI, St. Petersburg near deal

He offers few details about any agreement with the global researcher.

By AARON SHAROCKMAN
Published November 22, 2006

TALLAHASSEE - Gov. Jeb Bush said Tuesday that a deal to bring renowned global researcher SRI International to St. Petersburg is near.

"I don't think that all of the moving parts are complete. But I hope to get it done," Bush said. "I hope it's all done at some point real soon."

Bush said an agreement may not be struck this month because of the Thanksgiving holiday, but he did not elaborate. His brief answers mirrored the tight-lipped public responses of both city and company officials.

SRI, a leading California government and private research firm, is looking to expand in Florida and has discussed partnering with the University of South Florida-St. Petersburg's College of Marine Science.

A representative from a Tampa public relations firm said Tuesday that SRI has not yet reached an agreement with the state. The public relations man called the Times in response to questions the newspaper posed to SRI about the negotiations.

Discussions between the state, the city and SRI have been private, fueling speculation that a deal was imminent - or unraveling.

In August, the state Legislative Budget Commission approved awarding $20-million to attract what it called "Project Watering Hole," a moniker officials have said refers to SRI.

Officials said then they hoped a deal would be struck within 60 days. Now, nearly 100 days have passed.

"We're getting close," Bush said Tuesday.

[Last modified November 22, 2006, 00:49:49]