Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Moffitt ready to grow locally

Plans include a new $80-million "Total Cancer Care" research and treatment center.

By BILL VARIAN and JAMES THORNER
Published December 15, 2006

TAMPA - Gov. Jeb Bush is tentatively expected to arrive in town Monday to announce plans for a major expansion of H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, said officials with the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce.

The deal is likely to rely on a significant incentive package from local government aimed at ensuring the expansion takes place in Moffitt's hometown.

At an annual Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce luncheon Thursday, several attendees, including a delegation from Moffitt, vouched for Bush's arrival on Monday. Mark Laurenzo, the chamber's top bioscience recruiter, said Bush was expected to make an announcement in Tampa regarding the Moffitt expansion early Monday afternoon.

The nationally renowned research and treatment institute has been studying how to add space in either Pasco or Hillsborough county for months. But in recent weeks, officials from Pasco - including state Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey - have said they believe their county has fallen out of the running because they cannot or will not meet Moffitt's financial incentive requests.

Early discussions with Pasco involved up to $15-million in county incentives, including impact fee credits. The state also has been expected to chip in incentive money.

Pasco County Commissioner Ted Schrader said the owner of the property that was being considered had even discounted the asking price.

"Obviously, we're frustrated," Schrader said. "We put forth our best effort and at the end of the day we put forth a financial package that should have been attractive."

Laurenzo, meanwhile, hinted Thursday that Hillsborough had indeed emerged on top.

"We have our fingers crossed," Laurenzo said with a smile and a wink.

He also confirmed that incentives would be involved in a Hillsborough expansion but declined to get into specifics.

City of Tampa finance director Bonnie Wise confirmed Thursday that the city administration has pledged up to $500,000 to the expansion. Hillsborough County officials, however, largely declined comment.

County Administrator Pat Bean confirmed only that she will be in attendance at the tentatively scheduled news conference Monday. She said she has been working with a team of county officials that goes beyond her economic development staff to include her top budget and debt management employees.

"We have done our due diligence," Bean said.

If Hillsborough County is putting together an incentive package, it has some money to draw upon. The county has $35.3-million in a contingency pool set aside for unexpected expenses, such as those that come with hurricanes. It has another $20.6-million in another pot it uses during unexpected dips in such things as sales tax collections. Commissioners also have set aside $3.5-million as possible economic development incentive money, with the goal of promoting the biosciences.

Moffitt has considered southeastern Pasco's Wiregrass Ranch area, as well as land near its home base at the University of South Florida and along the U.S. 301 corridor for possible expansion. With little room to grow next door, Moffitt is seeking to build an $80-million "Total Cancer Care" center to combine research and treatment.

The expansion reportedly could bring dozens, if not hundreds, of new, high-paying jobs with it.

Tampa City Council member Shawn Harrison, who represents the area, told fellow council members Thursday he wants to be part of the effort to help Moffitt grow.

"It's going to be big," he said. "It's a major employer in my district and we want to protect Moffitt Cancer Center and work cooperatively with the county."

A spokeswoman for Bush declined to comment Thursday.

Times staff writers Jodie Tillman, Janet Zink and Joni James contributed to this report. Bill Varian can be reached at 813 226-3387 or varian@sptimes.com.

infobox:

.

[Last modified December 15, 2006, 05:38:21]