June 21, 2005 - St. Lucie County Research and Education Park One Step Closer to Fruition

Earlier this month, the Florida Board of Governors endorsed the formation of the St. Lucie County Research and Education Park with the University of Florida (UF) as the anchor educational institution. In addition to UF and the County, several other partners, including United States Department of Agriculture, Florida Atlantic University, Indian River Community College, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Smithsonian Marine Center and the St. Lucie County School District, will serve as key components of the newly created Research and Education Park.

The St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners recently appointed a local governing board for the Park. Additionally, the St. Lucie County Commission approved obtaining a $10 million line of credit for land acquisition and design for the Park. The St. Lucie County Research and Education Park, located in western Fort Pierce, covers 1,600 acres which includes the 170,000 sq. ft. USDA Research Facility and more than 300 acres of research citrus groves. In July 2004, a $3.7 million Biological Research and Containment Laboratory was opened at the Park and future facilities include a Plant Science Research Facility, an Aquaculture Facility and the St. Lucie County Agriculture Service Center.

For more information, call (772)462-1660.